Human rights body orders probe into child deaths from cough syrup in MP, Rajasthan

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of a complaint regarding the deaths of 12 children in Chhindwara and Vidisha districts of Madhya Pradesh and some districts of Rajasthan after consuming cough syrup. The commission issued notices under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, to health authorities in the three states and the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).

The complaint placed before the NHRC on Monday, describes the incident as a serious failure of drug safety, regulation and monitoring systems, amounting to a violation of children’s fundamental rights, including their right to life, health and access to safe medicines.

Initial tests by the Health Ministry did not indicate diethylene glycol or ethylene glycol, substances known to cause kidney toxicity. The exact reason behind the deaths remains unclear.

The NHRC said that the complainant requested intervention and asked for the constitution of a special investigation committee to examine how these cough syrups reached the market, including aspects of manufacturing, distribution, regulation and possible contamination with harmful chemicals.

The complainant also called for an investigation into the roles of both state and Central authorities responsible for quality testing, oversight and regulation.

Additionally, the complainant requested that samples of the cough syrup be immediately collected and tested, and that the sale of these drugs be stopped without delay. They sought the intervention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), requesting an impartial inquiry, strict legal action against those responsible, and an immediate ban on the medicine in question.

“The allegations made in the complaint prima facie appear to be serious violations of the human rights of the victims,” the NHRC noted.

The NHRC bench, presided over by Member Priyank Kanoongo, directed the Principal Secretaries of the Departments of Health and Family Welfare in Rajasthan (Jaipur), Madhya Pradesh (Bhopal) and Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow) to inquire into the allegations.

The human rights body has sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) within two weeks.