Kolkata Police Establishes SIT to Probe EVM Fire Incident

Kolkata Police has established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate a fire incident that destroyed 4,000 Electronic Voting Machines at a government building. The fire has triggered significant political controversy with suspicions and accusations from various political parties regarding the incident's circumstances. EVMs are critical infrastructure for India's electoral process, and any incident involving their destruction raises serious concerns about election integrity and security protocols. The establishment of SIT indicates the gravity and sensitivity of the investigation. This incident comes amid heightened political tensions in West Bengal following recent elections. The investigation will focus on determining whether the fire was accidental or deliberate, and examining security lapses that allowed such destruction of critical electoral infrastructure. This is important for UPSC candidates studying electoral processes, election administration, and governance.