India, Feb. 20 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday came down heavily on Noida-based drug maker Marion Biotech, whose cough syrups were linked to the deaths of 18 children in Uzbekistan in 2022, remarking that the company should have faced even graver charges "but for want of jurisdiction" and that the company had brought a "bad name to the country".

A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi dismissed a petition filed by the company and five of its officials, including directors, challenging summons issued to them in connection with alleged violations in drug manufacturing.

"Your syrup was found to be responsible for the death of children. You should be charged with murder too. but ...