Chennai: In a major development in the nationwide investigation into the deaths of children caused by a contaminated cough syrup, the Madhya Pradesh Police arrested G.Ranganathan, the owner of the Chennai-based pharmaceutical company ‘Coldrif’, from his residence in Kodambakkam.

According to police sources, he was arrested during the early hours of Thursday morning.

The arrest comes after the death of at least 20 children in different districts of Madhya Pradesh, who had consumed a cough syrup branded as ‘Coldrif’, manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals, a unit based in Sunguvar Chatram, Kanchipuram district.

Preliminary laboratory tests have revealed that the syrup contained diethylene glycol (DEG) — a highly toxic chemical commonly used in the production of paints and inks.

The inge

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