Chhindwara (MP), Nov 4 (PTI) — The Special Investigation Team probing the cough syrup tragedy that killed 24 children in Madhya Pradesh has arrested Jyoti Soni, wife of the primary accused Dr Praveen Soni, an official said on Tuesday.

Jyoti was taken into custody from Parasia town on Monday night. She owns the medical store that sold the contaminated cough syrup ‘Coldrif’ to several victims, said SIT in-charge Jitendra Jaat.

Dr Soni, who allegedly prescribed the tainted syrup to most of the affected children, was arrested last month for negligence linked to the deaths caused by kidney failure. With Jyoti’s arrest, the number of people held in the case has risen to seven.

The crackdown intensified after Tamil Nadu revoked the licence of the manufacturer Sresan Pharma. Its owner G Ranganathan and others involved in the distribution chain have also been arrested.

A WHO alert was issued after Coldrif samples showed 48.6% diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical far above the 0.1% limit. The syrup has been banned across several states, including MP, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

MP Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has promised strict action. The state suspended senior drug regulators and formed the SIT soon after the tragedy came to light, while Tamil Nadu authorities sealed the manufacturing unit.

Category: Breaking News

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