Sabotage or accident?: Fire in Kolkata that destroyed over 4,000 EVMs sparks questions
The fire has attracted attention because it comes at a time when opposition parties have been raising concerns about the electoral process and the functioning of EVMs
Just over a month after the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election results, a massive fire in Kolkata has triggered a fresh political controversy. Nearly 4,000 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) stored inside a government building in the Alipore area were reportedly destroyed in the blaze.
The incident comes at a politically sensitive moment following the Assembly elections, in which the BJP came to power in West Bengal, significantly altering the state's political landscape.
As news of the fire spread, a key question emerged: how did thousands of EVMs become ashes so soon after the election process had concluded?
Fire damage
The fire broke out at the South 24 Parganas Zilla Parishad building and later spread to the upper floors where election equipment was stored.
Officials said around 4,000 Control Units, Ballot Units, and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines were damaged in the incident.
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The destruction of the machines has attracted attention because it comes at a time when opposition parties have been raising concerns about the electoral process and the functioning of EVMs.
Political reactions
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) alleged that the machines were linked to constituencies including Kasba, Jadavpur, Behala East, Behala West, Metiabruz, and Satgachia.
In a strongly-worded statement, the party questioned whether the fire was merely an accident or an attempt to destroy crucial evidence.
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Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera also sought answers from the Election Commission, questioning whether the machines had been used in recent elections and calling for clarity on their status.
Growing mystery
According to Khera, unless the Election Commission explains the status of the destroyed EVMs, people will naturally question whether the blaze was accidental or whether critical evidence was lost in suspicious circumstances.
However, no evidence has emerged so far to support allegations of EVM tampering or election fraud linked to the incident.
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What has added to the mystery is the reported pattern of the fire. Officials said the blaze was first detected on the second and third floors before later affecting the eighth, ninth, and tenth floors, where election equipment was stored.
Sabotage or accident?
Questions have been raised about why several floors between the affected sections reportedly suffered little or no damage.
West Bengal Fire Services Minister Koushik Chowdhury described the pattern as "abnormal" and said the possibility of sabotage could not be ruled out.
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The incident has prompted a broader debate over responsibility and accountability. If sabotage is eventually established, investigators will need to determine who stood to benefit. If the fire was accidental, questions remain over how it spread across multiple floors and destroyed thousands of EVMs.
EC yet to respond
The Election Commission has not yet publicly responded to the political allegations surrounding the incident.
Forensic teams are examining whether the fire was caused by an electrical fault, negligence, or a deliberate act.
Until the investigation is completed, the destruction of nearly 4,000 EVMs is likely to remain a major political controversy, with questions continuing to be raised about accountability, transparency, and the safeguarding of election equipment.
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