The recent fire that devastated nearly 4,000 electronic voting machines (EVMs) in a government building in Kolkata has ignited a storm of controversy and political tension. The incident occurred on June 10, 2026, when a fire broke out at the South 24 Parganas Zilla Parishad office in Alipore, a locality known for being a stronghold of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). According to reports, the blaze began on the third or fourth floor and rapidly spread upwards, ultimately destroying EVMs stored on the eighth and ninth floors. The scale of the destruction—4,000 Control Units, 4,000 Ballot Units, and 4,000 Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) devices—has raised serious concerns about the safety and security of electoral infrastructure.
The TMC, which operates the Zilla Parishad, has accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of negligence and alleged that the fire might have been a deliberate act aimed at erasing crucial evidence related to the recent state assembly elections. In a scathing social media post, the party questioned the ECI's transparency, suggesting that the incident could be part of a broader effort to undermine democratic processes. The TMC pointed to previous attempts by the ECI to hide or manipulate data, arguing that the current incident could be another instance of such behavior. The party emphasized that judicial interventions had already been sought to secure the EVMs and CCTV footage, making the current loss all the more alarming.
Kolkata Police responded swiftly by forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the incident. The SIT, comprising senior officers from the police force, is tasked with determining the cause of the fire and assessing whether any criminal activity was involved. The formation of the SIT followed an FIR that was registered on June 12, the day after the fire. However, the police have not yet disclosed the full composition of the team or the specific parameters of their investigation. The delay in providing details has fueled speculation and criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups.
The minister of state for fire and emergency services, Kaushik Chowdhury, expressed his concern over the unusual spread of the fire. He noted that the blaze originated on the lower floors but somehow reached the higher floors where the EVMs were stored, bypassing the intermediate floors that remained undamaged. This anomaly has led to calls for a thorough forensic analysis to determine whether the fire was accidental or deliberately engineered. Chowdhury also highlighted that the EVMs destroyed in the fire were used in at least 10 assembly constituencies across different parts of the state, raising fears about the potential impact on the credibility of the election results.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the fire broke out around 9:30 pm and quickly engulfed the third-floor offices, causing panic among the staff. Fire tenders were dispatched promptly, and the situation was brought under control before the fire could spread further. Despite the quick response, the damage was extensive, with the heat from the blaze preventing forensic teams from accessing the affected floors for several days. The lack of access has delayed the collection of critical evidence, further complicating the investigation.
Political tensions have intensified as various parties have weighed in on the incident. While the TMC has focused its ire on the ECI, the Indian National Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have also raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the fire. The AAP described the incident as "no ordinary incident" and urged the BJP, which governs the national level, to provide answers. Meanwhile, the Congress has called for greater transparency, emphasizing that the destruction of EVMs could compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on uncovering the truth behind the fire and ensuring that the rights of voters are protected. With the SIT still in its early stages, the outcome of this inquiry will likely shape public perception of both the ECI and the administration's ability to safeguard electoral machinery. For now, the incident stands as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within the country's electoral system and the urgent need for improved safeguards against potential threats.
5 reports
Hindustan TimesIndependentCenter21 days agoA fire at a Kolkata government building destroyed 4,000 electronic voting machines (EVMs), leading to the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the incident. The event has raised suspicions and sparked political controversy.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the facts of the incident without overtly favoring any political side. It mentions the destruction of EVMs, the formation of an SIT, and the resulting suspicion and political outcry but does not take a stance or use biased language.
The HinduIndependentCenter21 days agoAround 4,000 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were damaged when a government building in West Bengal caught fire. The Fire and Emergency Services Minister of State, Koushik Chowdhury, visited the site and suggested the possibility of sabotage.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on an incident involving damaged EVMs and mentions a minister suggesting sabotage without taking a stance or using biased language. It provides minimal context and does not emphasize any particular political viewpoint.
India TodayIndependentCenter21 days agoA fire broke out at a government building in West Bengal, resulting in the destruction of approximately 4,000 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate claims of sabotage.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on an event involving the destruction of EVMs and mentions the formation of a special investigation team to look into sabotage claims. The report appears to present facts without overtly favoring any particular political stance. There is no clear indication of biased language, un
Business StandardIndependent🔒Center21 days agoA fire broke out at a government building in West Bengal, resulting in the destruction of approximately 4,000 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). An investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the incident.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on an event involving the destruction of EVMs without any apparent framing, loaded language, or emphasis on specific political perspectives. It does not include commentary, quotes, or sources that suggest a particular ideological stance.
Scroll.inIndependentLeft21 days agoAround 4,000 electronic voting machines (EVMs) were destroyed in a fire at a government building in Kolkata. The incident occurred in a nine-story structure housing multiple government offices, including the South 24 Parganas Zilla Parishad, which is managed by the ruling Trinamool Congress. West Bengal minister Kaushik Chowdhury suggested the fire might have been caused by sabotage, noting unusual aspects such as how the fire spread from the third floor to the seventh and eighth floors without affecting intermediate floors. An FIR has been filed, and forensic teams are investigating.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the incident with potential implications for election integrity, highlighting concerns raised by a minister from the ruling Trinamool Congress. While the article reports the minister's claims of possible sabotage without directly endorsing them, the emphasis on the political role,
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