The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has raised strong objections to the arrest of Dr. Praveen Soni, a paediatrician linked to the ongoing cough syrup controversy that has claimed the lives of at least 19 children across Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. According to sources, the association has decided to engage directly with the Union Health Ministry to seek clarity on the matter and advocate for Dr. Soni’s release.
The IMA has questioned the reasoning behind holding Dr. Soni solely responsible for the tragedy, pointing out that he had followed prescribed treatment protocols. The association argued that it was unfair to single out the doctor when the manufacturer of the cough syrup — Sresun Pharmaceuticals — was given a clean chit by the authorities. “Why is the doctor being targeted when the company that produced the toxic medicine has been cleared?” a source within the association said.
Meanwhile, a fact-finding team from the IMA has been dispatched to Chhindwara to assess the situation on the ground and meet with local health and law enforcement officials. Out of the 16 deaths reported in Madhya Pradesh, 14 occurred in Chhindwara and two were suspected in Betul. The deaths have caused widespread public outrage and prompted an immediate crackdown on those linked to the manufacture, distribution, and prescription of the tainted Coldrif cough syrup.
Dr. Soni was arrested on Saturday after an FIR was registered against him and the operators of Sresun Pharmaceuticals under multiple provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The complaint was filed by Ankit Sahlam, Block Medical Officer of the Parasia Community Health Centre. Acting on the directions of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, authorities suspended Dr. Soni for alleged negligence in treating the children who fell ill after consuming the syrup.
Investigations later confirmed that Dr. Soni had prescribed Coldrif syrup to most of the deceased children. A laboratory analysis revealed that the syrup contained 48.6% Diethylene Glycol (DEG) — a toxic compound known to cause acute kidney failure and death when ingested. The shocking revelation has intensified calls for accountability and transparency in the probe.
Following the deaths, several states — including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh — have banned the sale and distribution of Coldrif syrup as a precautionary measure. Karnataka and Telangana have also issued advisories urging officials to monitor the situation closely and raise public awareness about the potential risks associated with the product.
As the controversy deepens, questions continue to mount over the apparent inconsistencies in the investigation, particularly regarding the pharmaceutical company’s exoneration and the swift arrest of the doctor. The IMA’s intervention signals growing unease within the medical community over what it perceives as scapegoating amid a larger systemic failure in drug regulation and quality control.
