Hyderabad: Director General of Forensic Science Laboratories (FSL), Shikha Goel, confirmed on Sunday that a formal investigation is underway into the fire accident at the Nampally FSL premises. She said officials are now assessing the property loss, and they will release details after finalising the estimates.
After inspecting the site, Goel told the media that the fire broke out at 10:08 a.m. on Saturday. An FSL staff member noticed the flames first. Despite immediate response efforts, the fire quickly spread from the property room to the library, HRD room, and training hall.
The FSL team filed a police complaint and is identifying who was present inside the building during the fire. Goel said the flames began in the property room before reaching nearby sections.
FSL confirms damage to phone tapping case items
Goel also addressed rumours that crucial evidence from the 2015 cash-for-vote case and the 2024 phone tapping case was destroyed.
She clarified that FSL had received 136 items related to the phone tapping case registered at Panjagutta Police Station. Of these, seven items were damaged in the fire. However, efforts are underway to retrieve data from them. The remaining materials had already been handed over to the investigation teams.
Regarding the 2015 cash-for-vote case, Goel dismissed claims of damage. She said FSL received 16 items in two phases in 2015. After preparing the reports, the team submitted all items to the ACB court in the same year. No related materials were in the lab during the fire.
Goel emphasized that evidence from the cash-for-vote case remains secure and unaffected by the incident.