A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been submitted to the Supreme Court requesting an investigation and systemic reforms in drug safety protocols following the deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, allegedly linked to toxic cough syrups. The PIL, presented by advocate Vishal Tiwari, calls for a court-monitored investigation into these incidents and advocates for the establishment of a National Judicial Commission or Expert Committee led by a retired Supreme Court judge. It also asks for all ongoing FIRs and inquiries related to the fatalities caused by toxic cough syrups across various states to be handed over to the CBI.
The petition emphasizes that the investigation should be overseen by a retired Supreme Court judge to ensure impartiality and consistency. It argues that separate investigations at the state level have resulted in fragmented accountability, permitting repeated oversights that allow dangerous products to enter the market. This petition arises amidst reports from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, where multiple children reportedly died after consuming a specific cough syrup. The plea urges the court to direct the Central government to form a national-level judicial or expert panel to pinpoint the regulatory failures that permitted substandard medications to be sold.