MP cough syrup tragedy deepens as child dies
The four-year-old remained in a coma for over four months after allegedly taking contaminated syrup; post-mortem pending.
Betul in Madhya Pradesh is grieving again after the death of a four-year-old boy who had been in a coma for months. Harsh, from Tikabarri village near Chhindwara district, passed away at AIIMS-Nagpur on Sunday night, officials said on Monday.
According to health authorities, Harsh had fallen critically ill after allegedly consuming Coldrif cough syrup. His condition worsened quickly, and he was admitted to the intensive care unit. Despite treatment, the child remained in a coma for over four months before finally passing away.
He said that a post-mortem examination was carried out in Nagpur on Monday and the body was returned to the family. The exact cause of death will be determined once the post-mortem report is complete, Dr Hurmade added.
Harsh’s uncle, Shyam Yadav, told reporters that the child’s last rites were performed on Monday evening. Yadav said that Harsh had first received treatment under Dr S S Thakur in Parasia, Chhindwara. The boy’s condition reportedly worsened after consuming the cough syrup prescribed by the doctor.
The young boy was later admitted to AIIMS, Nagpur, where he remained for months in intensive care. Family members say the time was incredibly hard as they watched the child struggle to survive.
This tragic incident is part of a larger crisis in Chhindwara district. In October 2025, multiple children in Parasia town fell ill after consuming the same Coldrif cough syrup. Many suffered from severe symptoms such as vomiting, fever, and inability to urinate, which are signs of kidney failure.
Investigations revealed that the syrup contained diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical known to damage the kidneys. About two dozen children from Chhindwara and nearby Betul district died after consuming the contaminated medicine. The Drug Controller General of India later conducted a detailed investigation into the case.
Authorities have taken legal action. The owner of the company that manufactured the syrup and the government doctor who recommended it were arrested following the deaths.
In early October 2025, the Madhya Pradesh government banned the sale of Coldrif cough syrup. Officials confirmed that samples of the drug contained highly toxic substances. The Tamil Nadu Directorate of Drug Control also tested the syrup at a government Drug Testing Laboratory in Chennai.
The test report revealed alarming results. The syrup, batch number SR-13, manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals in Kancheepuram, contained 48.6 percent diethylene glycol. The authorities declared it “Not of Standard Quality.” The report warned that this poisonous chemical could make the medicine extremely harmful and even deadly.
The incident has shaken the local community. Parents remain fearful of giving medicines to their children, and hospitals are on high alert for any unusual illnesses. Many families are still mourning the loss of their children, while others watch their children recover from serious health issues caused by the syrup.
Experts say that the tragedy highlights the importance of strict drug regulation and quality checks. Officials have urged the public to be cautious about buying medicines and to report any suspicious or unlabelled drugs.
For the Yadav family, the loss of Harsh is unbearable. Neighbors describe the boy as lively and cheerful before he fell ill. His death serves as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by contaminated medicines and the lasting impact on families.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, ensuring that similar incidents do not happen again. Meanwhile, the focus remains on providing justice to the families of children affected by the toxic syrup and preventing such tragedies in the future.
Harsh’s death marks another sad chapter in Madhya Pradesh’s ongoing cough syrup crisis, leaving communities, doctors, and authorities grappling with grief and responsibility.