Supreme Court Denies Bail to Doctor Linked to 26 Child Deaths from Cough Syrup

The [Supreme Court of India](/topic/supreme-court-of-india) has denied bail to paediatrician Dr. Praveen Soni, who is embroiled in a case concerning the prescription of Coldrif cough syrup, which has been linked to the tragic deaths of 26 children in Madhya Pradesh. The court's decision, made on November 6, 2026, underscores the severity of the allegations against Soni, who was arrested on October 5, 2025, following a complaint from the block medical officer, Dr. Ankit Sehlam.

The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, expressed grave concerns regarding the case. The bench highlighted that the charges against Soni had only recently been framed, and the involvement of a relative as a stockist raised further questions about potential collusion. "This is not a case of bail. You will have to wait. Charges have been framed just recently. And the stockist happens to be your relative. There are some connections," the court stated.

The court's remarks reflect the serious nature of the allegations, particularly given that 26 children have died after being prescribed the syrup. The bench emphasized, "Children died... it is very serious. Twenty-six children died. The fact that you are a qualified doctor is all the more serious."

Investigations into the Coldrif syrup revealed alarming findings, particularly the presence of diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic industrial solvent. Laboratory reports indicated that samples of the syrup contained DEG levels as high as 46.28% weight by volume, far exceeding the permissible limit of 0.1%. This chemical, commonly found in products like brake fluid and antifreeze, poses severe health risks, especially to children, leading to acute kidney injuries and potentially fatal outcomes.

The first reported death linked to Coldrif occurred on September 4, 2025, in Chhindwara. Following this, numerous cases of acute kidney injury emerged among children aged two to four years who had been prescribed the syrup by Soni. Many of these children were subsequently referred to a medical college hospital in Nagpur, where several tragically succumbed to their injuries.

The prosecution has presented evidence suggesting that Soni's wife, Jyoti Soni, who worked at a pharmacy owned by the couple, sold the syrup without prescriptions. Allegedly, Soni received a 10% commission on every bottle prescribed, while the pharmacy profited ₹23 per bottle. This arrangement raises serious ethical questions about the motivations behind Soni's prescriptions.

Moreover, the state has claimed that Soni continued to prescribe Coldrif even after a December 18, 2023, circular from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization prohibited fixed-dose combination cough syrups for children under four years of age. The prosecution also noted that Soni had been warned by a senior paediatrician in Nagpur about a similar incident involving DEG-contaminated cough syrup in Delhi back in 1998.

In his defense, Soni's legal team has argued that he was neither the manufacturer nor involved in the production of Coldrif, which was produced by Sresan Pharmaceuticals Ltd under a valid license. His counsel contended that the syrup had not been banned at the time of prescription and referenced a Supreme Court ruling from 2005 that established safeguards against the criminal prosecution of medical practitioners without adequate evidence.

The Supreme Court has allowed Soni the opportunity to renew his bail plea after one year, indicating that the case will continue to be closely monitored as it unfolds. The court's decision reflects a commitment to ensuring that justice is served in a case that has already had devastating consequences for many families.

The Coldrif cough syrup case has raised critical questions about the responsibilities of medical practitioners and the regulatory frameworks governing [pharmaceutical](/topic/healthcare-pharma) products in India. As the investigation continues, the implications of this case may lead to stricter regulations and oversight in the prescription of medications, particularly those intended for vulnerable populations such as children.

The tragic loss of young lives has sparked public outrage and demands for accountability, emphasizing the need for a thorough examination of the practices surrounding prescription medications in the country. As the legal proceedings progress, the focus will remain on ensuring that such incidents do not recur and that the health and safety of children are prioritized in medical practices.