Key facts
- A fire at a government building in Kolkata destroyed approximately 4,000 EVMs, control units, and ballot units.
- The All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) has criticized the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the incident.
- The TMC suspects the fire was not accidental and may have been an attempt to destroy evidence.
- Kolkata Police have established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the cause of the fire.
- The fire occurred at the South 24 Parganas Zilla Parishad office near Alipore Court.
A significant fire at a government building in Kolkata has resulted in the destruction of approximately 4,000 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), control units, and VVPATs. The incident, which occurred on June 10 at the South 24 Parganas Zilla Parishad office, has drawn sharp criticism from the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC).
The TMC has accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of negligence and suggested the fire may have been deliberately set to conceal evidence of tampering. The party highlighted that judicial intervention had previously been sought to secure EVMs and CCTV footage, questioning how such an incident could occur.
In response to the blaze, Kolkata Police have established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the circumstances and cause of the fire. Eyewitnesses reported that the fire broke out around 9:30 pm and rapidly spread to offices on the third floor, causing panic among staff.