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

Written By : Ruchika Sharma |Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli Published On 2025-12-04T16:29:51+05:30 | Updated On 4 Dec 2025 4:29 PM IST

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.

ED investigation revealed that M/s Sresan Pharmaceutical Manufacturer has indulged in rampant unfair trade practices to suppress its manufacturing costs and increase profits which are nothing but Proceeds of Crime (POC).

It is revealed in the investigation that the manufacturer used industry grade raw materials in the manufacturing of medicines instead of Pharma grade raw materials without proper quality checks. Such materials were being purchased in cash without invoices to avoid creation of records.

The investigation further revealed that though the officials of the Tamil Nadu Drugs Control Department were in frequent touch with the proprietor of M/s Sresan Pharmaceutical, the annual inspections mandated as per the Drug and Cosmetic Rules, were not conducted.

ED had earlier conducted search operations in 10 locations connected with proprietor of M/s Sresan Pharmaceutical, Drug Control Authorities, agents involved in license procurement and others. During the search operations, various key evidences related to the financial activities, adulterated manufacturing were seized.

Further investigations are in progress.

directorate of enforcementsresan pharmacough syrupcoldrif

Ruchika Sharma

Ruchika Sharma joined Medical Dialogue as an Correspondent for the Business Section in 2019. She covers all the updates in the Pharmaceutical field, Policy, Insurance, Business Healthcare, Medical News, Health News, Pharma News, Healthcare and Investment. She has completed her B.Com from Delhi University and then pursued postgraduation in M.Com. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in Contact no. 011-43720751

Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Dr Kamal Kant Kohli-MBBS, DTCD- a chest specialist with more than 30 years of practice and a flair for writing clinical articles, Dr Kamal Kant Kohli joined Medical Dialogues as a Chief Editor of Medical News. Besides writing articles, as an editor, he proofreads and verifies all the medical content published on Medical Dialogues including those coming from journals, studies,medical conferences,guidelines etc. Email: drkohli@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751