NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached assets of the promoter of Sresan Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Coldrif cough syrup, in Chennai. The pharmaceuticals are linked to the death of at least 20 children in Madhya Pradesh.

The agency has provisionally attached immovable properties worth Rs. 2.04 crore belonging to G. Ranganathan, proprietor of Sresan Pharmaceutical Manufacturer, on Tuesday under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

“The provisionally attached properties comprise two residential flats at Kodambakkam, Chennai, owned by G Ranganathan and his family members,” the agency said. The agency initiated a probe under PMLA on the basis of two FIRs.

The first case was registered by Madhya Pradesh Police against G. Ranganathan, proprietor of Sresan Pharmaceutical Manufacturer, for manufacturing and selling adulterated cough syrup, which caused the deaths of more than 20 children.

The FIR alleged that consumption of Coldrif cough syrup contained toxic glycol compounds and caused multiple incidents of acute renal failure in children following consumption.

“Laboratory findings confirmed the presence of high concentrations of Diethylene Glycol (DEG) 48.6% w/v and Ethylene Glycol (EG) 46.28% w/v, which are far beyond the safe limit,” said the agency sleuths, adding that the negligent and adulterated manufacturing practices adopted by Sresan Pharmaceutical led to the poisoning of the Coldrif cough syrup.