HYDERABAD: A fire broke out at the state Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) at Lakdikapul on Saturday, leaving in its wake damaged digital and physical evidence linked to several cases, and prompting allegations of mischief by the Opposition parties.
According to fire officials, the blaze originated at the MCB switchboard in a computer room at the far end of the first floor, possibly due to a short circuit. It gutted the seized property storage and computer rooms on the first floor of the building.
Fire officials said that more than 40 computers and equipment were damaged, while pointing out that the extent of the loss was yet to be assessed. The FSL stores evidence and reports connected to a large number of cases, including high-profile ones.
Late in the evening, the fire department said that most of case property and FSL material was intact.
Nonetheless, the fire sparked a flurry of allegations from the Opposition, with both the BRS and BJP voicing suspicion that something was amiss. Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said the fire raised serious questions, and alleged that the state government’s failure to issue a clear statement was fuelling doubts.
Bid to destroy evidence: Oppn
Kishan Reddy demanded to know whether crucial digital evidence related to cases such as cash-for-vote and phone tapping was stored at the facility and whether backups were available.
BRS working president KT Rama Rao took to X, where he suggested that recordings linked to the cash-for-vote case may have been affected. Rama Rao also accused the state government of an attempted “cover-up”. Manne Krishank, another BRS leader, asked, “What evidence are you erasing @revanth_anumula?”
According to fire officials, an office boy noticed the fire and raised an alarm. He attempted to put out the flames using a fire extinguisher and sustained minor injuries. No other staff were inside the building at the time.
The Fire Department received a distress call at around 10.21 am and deployed six fire tenders along with a fire-fighting robot. Teams from the police, Fire Department, HYDRAA and the Disaster Response Force rushed to the spot. The fire was brought under control after nearly three hours.
Fire Services Director General Vikram Singh said the FSL is an old G+2 structure. “Preliminary findings indicate that the fire originated at the MCB switchboard in the computer room, possibly due to a short circuit. Despite the presence of fire extinguishers and initial attempts to contain the blaze, it spread quickly and produced heavy smoke,” he said.
District Fire Officer Sreedas said the fire was confined to the first floor and that laboratory equipment and materials on the second floor were not affected.