"This is very tragic": Kamal Nath slams state govt amid Coldriff cough syrup row

Chhindwara (Madhya Pradesh) [India], October 12 (ANI): Senior Congress leader Kamal Nath expressed grief over the 22 deaths caused by the consumption of Coldrif cough syrup and held the state government responsible for the tragedy.
"This is very tragic. I hold the state government responsible for never testing medicines. It is still unknown how many medicines are not being tested... I have spoken to the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister and the government should work together to do something, and I will do whatever I need to do," he stated.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari demanded the resignation of the State health minister in connection with the deaths of at least 22 children allegedly linked to Coldrif cough syrup in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara.
Patwari claimed that over "150 bottles of cough syrup have been sold in one month" and demanded the death penalty for the owner of the drug company. The Congress leader accused the BJP of raising "Hindu-Muslim issues" and said that the "clean chit" given by the State health minister to the owner hints at corruption.

Earlier on Friday, a Parasia court sent Sresan Pharma owner Ranganathan to 10-day police custody in connection with the deaths of children allegedly caused by the consumption of Coldrif cough syrup.
Ranganathan was produced before the Parasia court earlier on Friday.
Earlier on Thursday, Chhindwara Superintendent of Police (SP) Ajay Pandey said, "The SIT that left from Chhindwara has arrested Sresan Pharma owner Ranganathan. He was rounded up late at night and then arrested. As part of the procedure, his medical examination will be done, and other proceedings will be undertaken in Chennai. Then, after that, he will be brought to Chhindwara."
Additionally, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has issued a directive to all States and Union Territories, calling for strict compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, for the testing of raw materials and finished pharmaceutical formulations. (ANI)