Chhindwara Cough Syrup Case: Medical Store Owner Arrested After 4-Year-Old Girl’s Death; Sold ‘Coldrif’ Without P

Chhindwara (Madhya Pradesh): In a shocking development, police have arrested the owner and pharmacist of Aashirwad Medical Store in connection with the suspicious death of a 4-year-old girl, Ambika Vishwakarma, in Chhindwara’s Kundipura area. The action was taken after laboratory tests confirmed that the cough syrup Coldrif (Batch No. SR-13) sold to the child was adulterated.

According to police, the syrup was sold without a doctor’s prescription, violating the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. The arrested individuals have been identified as Anil Kumar Mishra, the store owner, and Ashok Kumar Mishra, the pharmacist. This marks the ninth arrest in the ongoing toxic cough syrup investigation that has shocked the entire district.

Toxic Syrup Confirmed in Lab Tests
The forensic test reports revealed that the Coldrif syrup contained harmful adulterants that could prove fatal if consumed. Based on the findings of the Drug Inspector’s report and witness statements, the police registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) as well as the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

Additionally, cases have been filed against Srisan Pharmaceuticals—the manufacturer of the syrup—and another pharmacist involved in its distribution. Police officials stated that the accused will be presented in court after thorough interrogation.

District Still Haunted by the Previous Tragedy
This incident has revived painful memories of the earlier toxic cough syrup tragedy in Chhindwara, where 23 children lost their lives after consuming a similar contaminated medicine. In that case, police arrested Dr. Praveen Soni and his wife, who allegedly supplied the adulterated syrup through their pharmacy without verifying the drug’s safety.

Authorities have now intensified inspections across all medical stores and pharmaceutical distributors in the district to prevent further incidents. The health department has also issued a statewide alert for random testing of cough syrup samples to ensure public safety.

Headline Summary:

• 4-year-old dies after consuming adulterated Coldrif syrup.
• Medical store owner and pharmacist arrested in Chhindwara.
• Syrup sold without prescription; batch tested positive for adulteration.
• Ninth arrest in ongoing toxic cough syrup case.
• Police expand probe to drug manufacturers and distributors.

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