Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari on Saturday alleged that the state government’s negligence led to the deaths of more than 20 children following consumption of a “toxic” cough syrup, and sought the resignation of the health minister and a CBI probe into the fatalities.

Calling it an offence of culpable homicide, he also demanded that a case be registered against the drug controller, and the Principal Secretary of the state health department be removed from the post. At least 22 children from Madhya Pradesh, mostly from Chhindwara, have died so far due to suspected renal failure linked to the consumption of Coldrif cough syrup manufactured at Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu.