Amidst a probe investigating the alleged involvement of Maiden Pharmaceuticals' cough syrups in children's deaths in Gambia, the company has vehemently denied accusations of tampering with test samples or engaging in bribery to manipulate results, refuting claims made in an ongoing inquiry by local health officials.

Naresh Kumar Goyal, the founder of Maiden, refuted the allegations, stating, "I have never changed the sample," and emphasized the lack of evidence against the company. Goyal also denied involvement in any bribery activities, stating that neither he nor his representatives have been summoned by the investigator handling the case.

The state investigator, Gagandeep Singh, refrained from commenting on Goyal's statement.

The World Health Organization (WHO) previously connected Maiden's syrups to the deaths of 70 children in Gambia last year. However, conflicting reports emerged from subsequent tests conducted at an Indian government laboratory, indicating the absence of toxic elements in the syrups.

Singh disclosed an extensive complaint alleging that the state's drug regulator, Manmohan Taneja, was implicated in switching test samples, supposedly facilitated by a bribe of 50 million Indian rupees. Taneja, currently unresponsive to inquiries, previously dismissed the bribery allegations as baseless.

While it remains unverified whether any bribes were indeed exchanged, Goyal emphasized rectifications made at their closed factory, closed after the Gambia incident surfaced. He noted that the facility was undergoing renovations, inviting authorities for inspection to facilitate its reopening.

The Indian health ministry refrained from offering comments on the matter.

However, sources familiar with the issue revealed that the Indian government seems in no rush to reopen the pharmaceutical factories, including Maiden's, linked to over 141 deaths across various countries. Concerns regarding public sentiment are likely to delay any decision until after the upcoming general election in May.