By Special Correspondent
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the state government and the Health Department, accusing them of gross negligence in the deaths of over 25 children allegedly caused by toxic cough syrup. Addressing a press briefing, Patwari said that more than 150 child deaths have been recorded across various districts in the past three months — not due to disease, but due to “government-sponsored negligence.”
He revealed that on 19 September 2025, the Nagpur laboratory in Maharashtra had sent a report to the Madhya Pradesh Health Department confirming that the deaths were caused by contaminated medicine, not illness. Despite this, the Health Minister ignored the warning and continued with celebrations.
Patwari alleged that after the first death on 3 September, no post-mortem examinations or departmental reviews were conducted even after eight more fatalities. He demanded accountability, calling for the resignation of the Health Minister, suspension of the Principal Secretary (Health), and registration of an FIR against the Drug Controller.
He further accused a man named Sonu Rana — allegedly linked to the Union Health Minister’s aide, Aditya Singh — of mediating deals between the Health Department and pharmaceutical firms.
Calling the tragedy “an act of culpable homicide,” Patwari demanded a CBI investigation and an SIT inquiry. He announced that Congress workers would hold one-day fasts and protests outside children’s hospitals across all districts, urging citizens to raise their voices and seek justice.
