The latest fire accident in Telangana forensic science laboratory in Hyderabad has triggered a major political controversy and if the sources are to be believed, the Revanth Reddy government is suspecting the hand of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi leaders behind the fire mishap.
The main reason for this suspicion, according to sources is the way the BRS leaders quickly jumped into action within minutes of the news of fire accident in the forensic science laboratory and began spreading the misinformation.
Soon after the fire broke out, BRS working president K T Rama Rao posted a series of tweets, followed by similar statements from the party spokespersons including Dasoju Sravan, alleging that the it might not be an accident, but a deliberate incident to destroy evidence in the 2015 cash-for-vote case involving chief minister A Revanth Reddy.
Such a quick reaction from the BRS leaders has raised questions among political rivals over whether the messaging was pre-planned to malign the chief minister ahead of the municipal elections.
However, officials have challenged these assertions. Forensic Science Laboratory Director Shikha Goel clarified that all material related to the vote-for-note case had already been examined and returned years ago.
According to her statement, the material had reached the lab through court orders in 2015, was analysed, and reports were submitted to the court. By 2021, all case-related material had been handed back, meaning no such evidence remained in the lab at the time of the fire.
The Revanth Reddy government is now focussing on whether the false claims by the BRS leaders was part of an attempt to divert attention from other sensitive cases.
It is even said to be suspecting that the BRS might have planned destruction of evidence on the phone tapping case.
The SIT investigation has already revealed that some of the accused in the phone-tapping case had previously destroyed hard disks to eliminate evidence.
Investigators are now examining whether any materials connected to that case were under forensic analysis and whether the fire could be linked to attempts to conceal further evidence.
So, Revanth Reddy has reportedly asked the authorities to do a comprehensive probe into the fire from a conspiracy angle.
They argue that the incident cannot be dismissed as a routine accident and that all possible motives, including destruction of evidence, must be investigated thoroughly.
There are also demands for scrutiny of the rapid political and social media campaign that followed the incident.
Many believe that only a detailed investigation will establish whether the fire was accidental or deliberate and identify any political or criminal conspiracy behind it.