MP HC rejects bail for doctor Praveen Soni, wife in Chhindwara cough syrup deaths case

BHOPAL: The MP high court on Tuesday rejected the bail application of Dr Praveen Soni, a paediatrician from Parasia town in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh, and his wife Jyoti Soni, accused in the Chhindwara cough syrup case that claimed the lives of about 25 children.

The bench of Justice Pramod Agarwal, while dismissing the bail application, said the doctor learnt about the reaction of the syrup on the children but continued prescribing the contaminated syrup to more children presumably because he got 'commission' for it. "If the accused are given bail in such a serious and sensitive matter, public sensibilities would be hurt," he said.

Children with mild cough and fever symptoms in parts of Chhindwara district were prescribed Coldrif syrup by Dr Soni. The children were prescribed cough syrup Coldrif by Dr Soni and most of them were purchased from the pharmacy run by his wife.

After consuming the syrup, their condition rapidly worsened and they developed acute kidney failure between Sept to Oct, 2025. Many were rushed to hospitals in Nagpur and other cities for specialised treatment, but more than 25 children eventually succumbed.

Laboratory tests later confirmed that the syrup contained diethylene glycol (DEG), a highly toxic industrial chemical. The contaminated batch moved through the supply chain unchecked before being banned by the state govt.

Counsel for the state govt said that a case was registered under section105 and 276 of BNS and provisions of Drug & Cosmetic Act in the case following a complaint of the block medical officer posted at community health centre, Parasia, Dr Ankit Sehlam. Dr Soni had prescribed syrup to children of 3-4 years of age also.

According to a circular issued by the director general of health services and Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, the syrup could not have been prescribed to children under 4 years of age. The report received from the drug administration and govt lab makes it clear that there was as much as 46.28% Dithiolene Glycol in the syrup though its permissible limit in the syrup is 0.1%.

Despite being cautioned by senior doctor Dr Praveen Khapekar, he continued prescribing the syrup to children. After hearing both sides, the court rejected the bail application of Dr Soni and his wife.