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PIL in SC over deaths of children linked to contaminated cough syrup

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New Delhi, Oct 7: A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking urgent judicial intervention to address the deaths of children allegedly caused by the consumption of contaminated cough syrup in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

At least 14 children have died since early September, with most of the cases reported from Nagpur in Maharashtra and Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh.

The PIL, filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari, claimed that laboratory tests conducted by the Madhya Pradesh government confirmed the presence of Diethylene Glycol (DEG) — a toxic industrial solvent prohibited for pharmaceutical use — in ‘Coldrif Cough Syrup’ manufactured by Tamil Nadu’s Sresan Pharma Pvt. Ltd.

The initial cases were reported from Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district in early September, and within days, the death toll mounted as similar cases emerged from Nagpur, Maharashtra.

“Despite the catastrophic findings, the Union Government and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) allegedly failed to issue an immediate nationwide recall or ban, permitting the continued circulation of potentially poisonous medicines across States,” the plea stated.

It drew parallels with the Gambia and Uzbekistan incidents, where DEG-contaminated Indian syrups were linked to over 90 child deaths abroad.

“This is not a tragedy of chance but of negligence, apathy, and regulatory failure — an institutional rot that allows counterfeit and adulterated drugs to enter the public market unchecked,” the PIL stated.

The plea has sought the constitution of a National Judicial Commission or Expert Committee, headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the manufacture, regulation, testing and distribution of contaminated syrups and to recommend systemic drug-safety reforms.

Further, it seeks a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the deaths of children across states, under the supervision of a former apex court judge.

The PIL also urged the top court to transfer all pending FIRs related to the deaths to the CBI to ensure a uniform and independent investigation.

Another prayer is for immediate recall, seizure and prohibition of all batches of Coldrif Cough Syrup and other related formulations manufactured by Sresan Pharma Pvt. Ltd., until independent NABL-accredited laboratories issue toxicological clearance and verification of safety.

On Monday, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued notices to the Principal Secretaries of the Health Departments of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan on a complaint alleging serious lapses in drug safety and regulatory mechanisms that led to the tragedy.

The apex human rights body has directed the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, to initiate a comprehensive investigation into the supply chain of the alleged spurious drugs, apart from instructing all regional labs in the concerned states to collect and test samples.

“The authority is also directed to order all the Chief Drugs Controllers in the concerned states to process immediately the banning of the spurious drugs and submit reports,” the NHRC said.

Crime

Delhi Police bust illegal gambling den in Vikaspuri; four held, Rs 74,000 recovered

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New Delhi, July 9: Delhi Police busted an illegal gambling den operating from a two-storeyed jhuggi in Vikaspuri on Thursday, apprehending four alleged gamblers. The Police team also recovered Rs 74,070 in suspected stake money along with gambling-related material during the raid.

According to the police, the operation was carried out on July 7 after the Special Staff received specific and credible information about an illegal gambling racket being run from Indra Camp No. 4 in Vikaspuri.

Based on the tip-off, a raiding team was formed under the leadership of Inspector Rajesh Maurya and the ACP (Operations), under the overall supervision of senior officers.

The team immediately reached the identified location and conducted a raid. During the operation, four persons were allegedly found actively engaged in gambling, while 16 other individuals were also present at the premises.

Police recovered Rs 74,070, suspected to be gambling stake money, along with satta parchis, a chakri and number charts allegedly used for conducting illegal gambling activities.

During the investigation, police identified Shahid as the alleged kingpin behind the gambling racket. According to officials, Shahid has previously been involved in five gambling-related cases. His associate, Akram, was allegedly responsible for collecting the stake money from gamblers.

Both Shahid and Akram were absent during the raid. Police said efforts are underway to trace and apprehend the duo and ascertain their complete role in the illegal gambling operation.

The four apprehended accused have been identified as Shekhar (24), a resident of Vikaspuri, who is allegedly involved in three previous criminal cases; Sachin (22), a resident of JJ Colony, who has two previous criminal cases against him; Md. Nadeem (31), a resident of Shiv Vihar, who is allegedly involved in one previous criminal case; and Sahil (19), a resident of Uttam Nagar, who also has one previous criminal case.

Police said the recovered items, including the cash, satta parchis, chakri and number charts, have been seized as evidence.

Further investigation is underway to identify other persons associated with the racket and to establish the full extent of the illegal gambling network operating in the area.

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Crime

Delhi Police solve cab carjacking case within 24 hours, three arrested

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New Delhi, July 9: The Delhi Police’s South District has solved a cab carjacking and robbery case within 24 hours of the incident, arresting three accused and recovering the robbed taxi, valuablesm and the weapon allegedly used in the crime.

According to police, the breakthrough was achieved by the staff of Police Station Fatehpur Beri after an intensive technical and field investigation launched on the complaint of a cab driver.

The operation was carried out by a team comprising Sub-Inspectors Nasib Singh, Vikas Yadav, and Ravi Raghav, Head Constables Chandram, Mukesh Kumar, and Pradeep Kumar under the leadership of SHO Inspector Rajesh Sharma and the overall supervision of the ACP, Mehrauli.

Police registered FIR No. 287/2026 under Sections 309(4), 351(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Soon after the case was registered, investigators analysed CCTV footage, ride-booking details and other technical inputs while simultaneously conducting multiple raids at different locations.

During the investigation, sustained technical surveillance led to the identification of one of the accused, following which continuous field operations resulted in the arrest of all three accused within 24 hours. The police also recovered the robbed taxi, the complainant’s mobile phone, wallet, identity documents and the knife allegedly used during the offence.

According to the investigation, the accused targeted cab drivers during late-night hours by booking rides through a mobile application. After reaching an isolated location, they allegedly threatened the driver at knifepoint, assaulted him, and robbed the vehicle along with his valuables before fleeing from the spot.

The arrested accused have been identified as Mohd. Kaif, 25, a resident of Ghitorni village in Delhi and originally from Uttarakhand’s Haldwani, Junaid Ali, 22, also a resident of Ghitorni village and originally from Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur, and Mohd Kaif, 20, a resident of Islam Colony, Mehrauli, originally from Bihar’s Begusarai. Police said none of the three accused has any previous criminal involvement.

The recovered items include the Maruti Suzuki Dzire taxi, a knife, the complainant’s Vivo mobile phone, another mobile phone allegedly used to book the ride, a wallet containing cash, Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving licence, registration certificate, ATM cards and other important documents.

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Crime

Kolkata man arrested for allegedly raping daughter’s friend in Tiljala

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Kolkata, July 9: A man has been arrested for allegedly raping his daughter’s friend in the Tiljala area of east Kolkata, police said on Thursday.

The arrest was made on Wednesday night following a complaint lodged by the victim’s family. The victim’s medical examination and statement are currently being recorded.

According to the police, the victim has been friends with the accused’s daughter for a long time and was familiar with the family.

She had reportedly been staying at her friend’s residence for a few days due to problems at her own home. During this period, the accused allegedly exploited opportunities when other family members were away and sexually assaulted her inside the house multiple times.

Initially, the young woman did not tell anyone about the incident out of fear and shame. It is alleged that the accused threatened to kill her if she disclosed the matter.

Police also said the victim did not initially disclose the alleged assault due to fear and shame. The accused is also alleged to have threatened to kill her and subsequently subjected her to repeated sexual abuse. After her health deteriorated, she informed her family members and her friend about the incidents.

The young woman then filed a written complaint with Tiljala police station. Based on the complaint, the police arrested the accused on Wednesday. A case has been registered against him under multiple sections, including rape. The Tiljala police station is investigating the incident.

Police said all aspects of the case are being examined and the allegations will be verified through the victim’s statement and other evidence collected during the investigation. Officials added that no further details can be disclosed at this stage as the probe is ongoing and the matter is sensitive.

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