Ranganathan Govindan, owner of Tamil Nadu-based Sresan Pharma, was arrested by Madhya Pradesh police in Chennai late last night in connection with the deaths of at least 20 children linked to the company’s adulterated cough syrup, Coldrif.

The arrest came after a carefully planned operation involving police and drug control officials who had been tracking Govindan’s movements since October 5. He was detained around 1:30 am and taken to the company’s factory in Kancheepuram, where critical documents were seized. Authorities are now seeking transit remand to move him to Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, where most of the deaths occurred.

Coldrif, a syrup meant to treat cold symptoms in children, was found to contain dangerously high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG) – a toxic industrial chemical

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