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Bhopal/Chhindwara, October 10 (IANS) The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Madhya Pradesh Police on Friday took Tamil Nadu-based Sreesan Pharmaceuticals owner Ranganathan Govindan to Parasia (Chhindwara) court in connection with the death of 25 children due to poisonous cough syrup.
Govindan, who had a reward of Rs 20,000 on his head, was captured in Chennai after he fled with his wife after the tragedy.
According to police sources, he will be produced in Parasia Court at 2 pm and the SIT will seek his remand.
A 12-member team, including six officers, was sent to Tamil Nadu earlier this week to track Govindan’s activities and he was arrested later on Wednesday.
Authorities feared he might flee abroad, as his children lived abroad. After this he has been brought to Parasia in Chhindwara for further investigation.
The cough syrup in question, named ‘Coldrif’, was found to contain dangerously high levels of diethylene glycol – a toxic chemical.
Meanwhile, the state government has arranged for post-mortem examination of the three dead children and forensic teams are working to collect technical evidence to strengthen the case.
The state government has suspended some officials and arrested Praveen Soni in Parasia for prescribing poisonous cough syrup ‘Coldrif’.
However, the Indian Medical Association has protested against Soni’s arrest as the association claims that doctors have no role in the manufacturing of any medicine.
The association, according to its office-bearers, is considering the option of moving the High Court to challenge the arrest of Dr Soni. People’s anger regarding the incident has intensified.
Samajwadi Party workers staged a protest at Malviya Chowk demanding the resignation of State Health Minister Rajendra Shukla.
The protesters held the government responsible for the death of innocent children and accused it of negligence.
Posters of the minister were put up on the street by protesters demanding accountability. The tragic incident has sparked widespread concern and calls for stricter pharmaceutical oversight, as investigations into the fatal lapse in drug safety continue.
–IANS
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