Cough syrup deaths: Supreme Court rejects PIL seeking CBI probe, nationwide drug safety review

The Supreme Court on Friday (October 10) dismissed a PIL seeking investigation and systemic reforms in the drug safety net in the wake of deaths of children allegedly due to consumption of poisonous cough syrup in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

A bench of Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justices Ujjwal Bhuyan and Justice K Vinod Chandran dismissed the PIL filed by lawyer Vishal Tiwari after objection by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.

The top law officer said the petitioner reads newspapers and goes to court.

The bench was initially of the opinion that notice should be issued, but later rejected it.

Mehta said that he is not appearing on behalf of any state at present but the seriousness with which states like Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh are taking action cannot be underestimated.

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Besides, states also have proper law enforcement mechanisms in place, he said.

The bench asked Tiwari how many PILs he has filed in the apex court so far and when told that he has filed eight to 10 such petitions so far, the bench immediately dismissed the petition.

“Rejected,” the CJI said.