Coldrif case: ED attaches assets worth over Rs 2 crore of Sresan Pharma proprietor

New Delhi: Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Chennai Zonal Office has made a major move against G. Ranganathan, the proprietor of Sresan Pharmaceutical Manufacturer, by provisionally attaching his immovable properties worth approx. Rs 2.04 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

The provisionally attached properties comprises of two residential flats at Kodambakkam, Chennai owned by G Ranganathan and his family members.

ED initiated investigations under PMLA on the basis of 2 FIRs having scheduled offences.

The FIR was registered by Madhya Pradesh Police against G. Ranganathan, Proprietor M/s Sresan Pharmaceutical Manufacturer under section 105 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS, 2023) (Section 304 of IPC), for manufacturing and selling adulterated cough syrup which caused deaths of more than 20 children.

The FIR alleged that consumption of Coldrif cough syrup manufactured by M/s Sresan Pharmaceutical Manufacturer, Chennai, contained toxic glycol compounds and caused multiple incidents of acute renal failure in children after its consumption. Laboratory findings confirmed the presence of high concentration of Diethylene Glycol (DEG) 48.6% w/v and Ethylene Glycol (EG) 46.28% w/v which are far beyond the safe limit. The negligent and adulterated manufacturing practices adopted by M/s Sresan Pharmaceutical Manufacturer, Chennai led to the poisoning of the Coldrif cough syrup.

Another FIR was registered by Chennai ACB against Sh. P.U. Karthigeyan, Director (i/c) and Joint Director of Drugs Control, Drugs Control Department under section 7 of Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 alleging corruption in Drugs Control Department.

Read also: 700 plus cough syrup makers under scrutiny after child deaths in MP: Anupriya Patel