ED conducts searches at seven places in T.N. following the arrest of Sreesan proprietor

The officers of Enforcement Directorate (ED) are conducting searches at seven places following the arrest of Sreesan proprietor G. Ranganathan in connection with the death of children in Madhya Pradesh after consumption of Coldrif cough syrup.

A 75-year-old man, G. Ranganathan, owner of Kancheepuram-based Sreshan Pharmacy, was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Madhya Pradesh in Kodambakkam Chennai last Thursday morning for allegedly manufacturing contaminated cough syrup that led to the deaths of 22 children in Madhya Pradesh. Two more staff of the firm were also arrested.

He faces charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, drug adulteration, and violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Tests of Batch SR-13 by Tamil Nadu’s drug control laboratory confirmed dangerous levels of DEG, prompting suspension of Sresan’s manufacturing licence and sealing of its facility at Sunguvarchatram in TN’s Kanchipuram district.

The Tamil Nadu Health Department also suspended two senior drug inspectors — Deepa Joseph and K Karthikeyan — for failing to inspect Sreesan’s plant as required under law.

Sources said the ED has registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act(PMLA) and has taken up investigation. The officers of ED began searches at seven places including the key employees of Sreesan Pharma and officials of Tamil Nadu Drug control department.

The search is also conducted at the residence of P.U.Karthikeyan, former Joint Director of Drugs Control, Food and Drug Administration, said sources.

Last July He was caught by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption while demanding and receiving ₹25,000 bribe from a soap factory proprietor for processing an application for permission.