The Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched intensive raids on Monday in the investigation into children's deaths who consumed the banned cough syrup 'Coldrif'. Raids have been conducted simultaneously at seven locations in Chennai this morning. Allegations have emerged of illegal transactions between Ranganathan Govindan, owner of 'Sresan Pharmaceuticals' who was arrested in the child deaths case, and top officials of the Tamil Nadu Drug Control Department. This raid operation is being conducted under the 'Prevention of Money Laundering Act' (PMLA).
According to ED sources, the agency is conducting raids at multiple properties of Tamil Nadu's Sresan Pharma as well as at the homes of top officials of the Drug Control Department. However, no clear information has been provided about the specific officials whose premises are being raided.
Notably, 20 children have allegedly died from the 'Coldrif' cough syrup manufactured by 'Sresan Pharmaceuticals'. Tests found 46.2 percent diethylene glycol in the cough syrup. Doctors have stated this is a chemical toxic substance. They claim that due to this toxic chemical, 20 children have died so far from severe kidney infections after consuming the cough syrup.
On October 9, Ranganathan Govindan, owner of 'Sresan Pharmaceuticals', was arrested from Chennai on these charges. Madhya Pradesh police formed a Special Investigation Team or SIT to investigate the children's deaths from the cough syrup. The issues the SIT is investigating include: who manufactured such large quantities of toxic cough syrup, how the manufactured cough syrup reached the market, and how the 'supply chain' worked between production and reaching the market. Allegations of illegal transactions have also been added to this, which the Enforcement Directorate is examining the market. Allegations of illegal transactions have also been added to this, which the Enforcement Directorate is examining.
