Bhopal: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Friday brought Dr. Ranganathan Govindan, owner of the Tamil Nadu-based Sresan Pharmaceuticals, to Chhindwara on transit remand following his arrest in Chennai in connection with the toxic cough syrup tragedy that has now claimed 23 lives in Madhya Pradesh.
The latest casualties—Garvik and Mayank, aged between one and two years from Umreth tehsil in Chhindwara—died during treatment in a Nagpur hospital, pushing the death toll to 23.
Officials confirmed that the symptoms in both children closely matched those of other victims who had consumed the same batch of the Coldrif cough syrup, which has tested positive for dangerously high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic industrial solvent.
As Dr. Govindan arrived under heavy police escort in Chhindwara, local outrage intensified. The Parasia Bar Association announced it would not offer any legal assistance to the accused.
Speaking to reporters, Bar Association President Shyam Sahu said, “We have unanimously decided not to represent Dr. Govindan in court. If any lawyer attempts to do so, they will face strong protest from the association.”
Govindan had been absconding with his wife since the tragedy came to light and was finally arrested from Chennai on Wednesday evening after days of intensive search by the SIT.
He had a reward of Rs 20,000 on his head. His pharmaceutical facility in Sunguvarchatram, Kanchipuram district, was sealed by Tamil Nadu authorities after lab tests confirmed the presence of 48.6% DEG in the syrup.
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