FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. 15 No. 117 | BHOPAL | FRIDAY | OCTOBER 10, 2025 | Pages 16 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. mpeng/2010/35815 www.freepressjournal.in Sports Elegant opener shatters 28-year-old record in WC clash P.14 ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: BHOPAL WORLD ISRAEL, GAZA ERUPT IN JOY UJJAIN PUNE INDORE NASHIK Cinema Priyanka celebrates Karwa Chauth P.16 KILLER COUGH SYRUP FACTORY OWNER HELD Our Staff Reporter The owner of Sresan Pharmaceuticals, manufacturer of the toxic Coldrif cough syrup linked to the deaths of several children in Chhindwara, was arrested from Chennai late Wednesday night. SP Chhindwara Ajay Pandey said the accused, G. Ranganathan, was taken into custody from his residence in Kodambakkam by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) from Madhya Pradesh, with assistance from Chennai’s Ashok Nagar police. He has been booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, drug adulteration and violations under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Ranganathan’s arrest follows a two-day search operation across Chennai and Kancheepuram. The SIT has also inspected the company’s manufacturing unit in Sunguvarchatram, Kancheepuram district. Ranganathan is expected to reach Chhindwara on Friday after the court granted transit remand. 4Continued on | P8 Modi congratulates Trump on Gaza plan Agencies NEW DELHI Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated US President Donald Trump on the success of the Gaza peace plan that the American leader had proposed in a major step to end a war that has killed tens of thousands of people. In a post on X, PM Modi also announced he discussed India-US trade negotiations with Trump, and indicated more activity in the coming weeks. "Spoke to my friend, President Trump and congratulated him on the success of the historic Gaza peace plan. Also reviewed the good progress achieved in trade negotiations. Agreed to stay in close touch over the coming weeks." the prime minister said. 4Continued on | P8 Powerful explosion kills 5 in Ayodhya PTI AYODHYA At least five people were killed and several others were injured after a house collapsed following a powerful explosion at a village in Pagla Bhari village under the Pura Kalandar police station area of Ayodhya on Thursday, officials said. Circle Officer (CO) Shailendra Singh told PTI that several people were still feared trapped under the debris, and rescue operations were underway. 4Continued on | P8 TN govt not cooperating: Yadav Licence given to firm without inquiry Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL TOLL RISES TO 22 The toll rose to 22 after two more children from Chhindwara district died due to suspected kidney failure linked to the syrup. On Thursday, oneyear-seven-month-old Garvit Pawar of Mordongari Khurd in Parasia passed away, while Mayank Suryavanshi died in Nagpur. Of the 22 victims, 19 were from Chhindwara, two from Betul, and one from Pandhurna. Three others remain critical in Nagpur Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has targeted the Tamil Nadu government in connection with the deaths of 22 children due to adulterated cough syrup, saying the state government is not properly cooperating with the inquiry team. The drug controller of Tamil Nadu should test the drugs according to rules, and the government should act strongly against the culprits, he said. EARLY WARNINGS IGNORED BY ADMIN SC TO HEAR PLEA WITHIN 24 HRS 364 VIOLATIONS FOUND AT FIRM CDSCO BEGINS AUDIT DRIVE Locals allege the Chhindwara administration ignored early alerts about the toxic cough syrup that killed several children. A Nagpurbased doctor had raised concerns on September 16 after treating children with kidney failure from Chhindwara. Despite social media posts and messages to officials, no action followed. Testing was delayed as syrup samples were sent by post, leading to tragic, preventable deaths. Pg-3 The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to hold an urgent hearing within 24 hours on a PIL seeking an independent probe into deaths of children caused by poisonous cough syrup in MP. The petition seeks a court-monitored investigation into the incident and formation of a National Judicial Commission or an expert committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to ensure impartiality and accountability Pg-3 Sresan Pharma, responsible for the cough syrup tragedy, was found supplying syrup without testing. The company's owner, Ranganathan Govindan, had been on the run but was arrested in Chennai. Investigations revealed 364 violations at its Tamil Nadu plant, including 38 serious ones. Sresan’s license, issued in 2011 and renewed in 2016, has been revoked, and all products banned. The CDSCO has launched a nationwide drive to test, inspect, and audit syrup manufacturers. States and UTs have been asked to submit lists of manufacturers. The DCGI also urged strict testing of raw materials and final products. So far, 18 states have joined the ONDLS platform, but none have fully complied with CAPA guidelines aimed at ensuring pharmaceutical safety and quality. CM Mohan Yadav meets children undergoing treatment at Nagpur hospital on Thursday. BJP state president Hemant Khandelwal accompanied him. 4Continued on | P8 India, UK natural partners, pillars of global stability: PM PTI MUMBAI India and the UK are "natural partners" and their growing ties stand as an important pillar of global stability and economic progress at a time the world is witnessing uncertainty, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday. Modi made the remarks after his wide-ranging talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. In his media statement, PM Modi said the historic IndiaUK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement inked in July will reduce import costs between the two countries, create new employment opportunities, boost trade, and benefit industries and consumers on both sides. "India and the UK are natu- ral partners. Our relationship is built on the shared values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law," he said. "In today's time of global uncertainty, our growing partnership stands as an important pillar of global sta- bility and economic progress," he added. The two leaders also shared views on the IndoPacific, peace and stability in West Asia, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. "On the issues of the Ukraine conflict and Gaza, India supports all efforts to restore peace through dialogue and diplomacy. We are fully committed to enhancing maritime security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region," Modi said. 4Continued on | P8 ‘India should get rightful place in UNSC’ UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday said New Delhi should get its 'rightful place' on the UN Security Council, highlighting India's remarkable growth story and its potential to play a key role in global affairs. In his statement after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Raj Bhavan here, he made a strong pitch for India to get permanent membership in the UNSC. "We want to see India taking its rightful place in the UNSC," he remarked Raid on ex-PWD chief engineer unearths assets worth Rs 60 cr Assets over 25 times of known income unearthed ‘LOVE JIHAD’ FUNDING IMC council passes proposal to disqualify Cong corporator Our staff reporter INDORE Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL The Special Police Establishment (SPE), Lokayukta police, Bhopal raided four premises of retired Public Works Department engineer-in-chief (ENC) Govind Prasad Mehra and found disproportionate assets worth Rs 60 crore. The investigation revealed that Mehra amassed wealth far in excess of his legal income through rampant corruption during his career. In the raids assets, jewellery, factories and investments worth Rs 60 crores were found. The teams simultaneously raided his residence in Bhopal, A-6 Mannipuram Colony, his son Rohit’s flat number 508 in Opal Regency in Dana Pani, Pg-3 4Continued on | P8 WARRANT DEMANDED As the team arrived at his residence in Mannipuram on Thursday morning for the raid, Mehra asked for a warrant. The Lokayukta police had already made all the preparations, so the team presented the permission and warrant. The team then confiscated the mobile phones of everyone present in the house and began the search. During this time, all family members and servants present were prevented from leaving. In a first-of-its-kind move, the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) council on Thursday passed a proposal to disqualify a corporator accused of funding alleged “love jihad” activities in the city. The proposal, targeting Congress corporator Anwar Qadri, was approved by more than a two-thirds majority during the council meeting. The decision marks the first instance in IMC’s history where such a disqualification proposal has been tabled and passed, Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav said. Before the proposal was introduced, Congress corporators staged a walkout, protesting the council’s decision to pass several items through a voice vote without discussion. 4Continued on | P8 E-paper Edit God, gold and political games P.6 COUGH SYRUP DEATHS | G. Ranganathan has been booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, adulteration, violations under Drugs and Cosmetics Act BHOPAL MUMBAI SC sets mid-Nov hearing as state seeks more time on OBC quota Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL The state government has again requested more time from the Supreme Court for implementing 27% OBC reservation, even after the court flagged concern about delays. The apex court has now scheduled the final hearing for mid-November. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said several technical issues require detailed consideration and suggested exploring alternate methods to resolve the matter efficiently. Senior advocate Varun Thakur said, “The SC observed that cases could be remanded to MP High Court, as the government repeatedly seeks time. Many students are still awaiting appointment letters under the 87:13 formula, with 13% of posts left unfilled.” Senior advocate, Rameshwar Thakur, said, “Even after the Supreme Court’s observations against the state government, it once again sought time in the name of final hearing. On Wednesday, the SC indicated it could either provide interim relief or directly refer the matter to the High Court. The High Court is better positioned to understand the state’s demographics and circumstances, making it more suitable to handle this statespecific reservation issue. While the Indira Sawhney judgment is relevant, the High Court has a better understanding of the local population and context.” 2 held, gold worth Rs 3.45cr recovered Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL In a major breakthrough, Nishatpura police on Thursday arrested two persons and recovered stolen jewellery worth about Rs 3.45 crore, including 3.33 kg of gold, 803 grammes of silver and Rs 4.5 lakh in cash. According to reports, complainant Rambabu Rathore, owner of a jewellery shop at Chhola Mandir, lodged a report stating that he sells gold and silver ornaments in various cities. On Monday, he left for Bina (Sagar district) with a bag full of jewellery, but returned to Bhopal due to heavy rain. Around 11 pm, he stopped at a roadside dhaba in Bhanpur for dinner and liquor. Feeling dizzy, he parked his car near a JEWELLERY THEFT showroom in Karond and fell asleep on the driver’s seat. When he woke up around 4 am, the bag containing ornaments was missing. 4Continued on | P8