A massive fire that broke out on June 10, 2026, in a multi-storey government building in Alipore, south Kolkata, has destroyed approximately 4,000 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) used in the recent West Bengal Assembly elections. The incident occurred at the administrative building of the South 24 Parganas Zilla Parishad on Baker Road, triggering a political controversy and prompting an FIR and forensic investigation.
The fire was reported around 9:40–9:50 AM on the third floor and quickly spread to upper floors, including areas where EVMs from about 10 constituencies were stored. Firefighters battled the blaze for several hours, with no casualties reported as most employees had not yet arrived at the office. In addition to the EVMs, government files, records, and office equipment were also gutted.
West Bengal Minister of State for Fire and Emergency Services Kaushik Chowdhury visited the site and confirmed the extent of the damage. He described the fire as suspicious, noting it was “not a normal fire.”
Government Statement (Ruling BJP-led administration):
“Around 4,000 EVMs were gutted… Those EVMs were used in 10 constituencies during this year’s assembly elections in the state.”
Kaushik Chowdhury, Minister of State for Fire and Emergency Services.
Union Minister and senior BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar stated that the possibility of sabotage should not be dismissed, while BJP leader Rakesh Singh alleged it was a “planned act.” Authorities have emphasized that no conclusions will be drawn without forensic and scientific evidence.
Opposition Reactions
Opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress (TMC), have demanded a transparent and independent probe into the incident amid broader questions about the storage and security of election materials following the BJP’s landslide victory in the April 2026 elections, which ended TMC’s long rule.
The police have registered an FIR, and a comprehensive forensic probe is underway to determine the cause, possibly an electrical short circuit from an air conditioner or other factors, with investigators examining the selective spread to upper floors where EVMs were kept.
This incident has raised concerns over the safety of critical electoral infrastructure and has intensified political debates in the state. The Election Commission of India and state authorities are expected to issue further clarifications as the investigation progresses.
