Kolkata: A massive fire at a government building in Kolkata’s Alipore area has destroyed nearly 4,000 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), triggering a major investigation and raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident. The machines had reportedly been used in 10 constituencies during the recent West Bengal Assembly elections.
The blaze broke out on Wednesday morning at the South 24 Parganas Zilla Parishad administrative building, which houses several government offices. Firefighters battled the flames for several hours before bringing the situation under control. No casualties were reported, but the damage to election equipment has become the biggest talking point following the incident.
West Bengal Minister of State for Fire and Emergency Services Kaushik Chowdhury said authorities are examining all possible causes, including sabotage. According to the minister, preliminary findings have raised questions because the fire is believed to have originated on the lower floors but caused extensive damage to the eighth and ninth floors, while some intermediate floors were largely unaffected. He described the pattern as unusual and said a forensic investigation would determine the exact cause.
Police have registered an FIR and launched a detailed probe. Forensic experts are expected to examine the site, while investigators are reviewing technical evidence and the building’s infrastructure to determine whether the blaze resulted from an electrical fault or any deliberate act.
The incident has also triggered a political debate, with opposition leaders demanding transparency in the investigation. However, officials have urged caution, stressing that no conclusion has been reached so far and that the final findings will depend on the forensic report.
With thousands of EVMs destroyed and questions surrounding the fire’s origin, the outcome of the investigation is expected to remain under close scrutiny in the coming days.
