Fire at Telangana Forensic Lab Triggers National-Level Probe

The investigation into the fire accident at the Telangana Forensic Science Laboratory (TGFSL) in Nampally has intensified, with national-level experts stepping in to determine the exact cause and assess the extent of damage. Telangana Director General of Police B. Shivadhar Reddy said specialists from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) and the National Institute of Fire Safety Engineering, Nagpur, have joined the probe and begun a technical examination . Their role includes forensic fire analysis , electrical system assessment , and evaluation of digital infrastructure to ensure scientific accuracy.

Preliminary assessments suggest a possible electrical short circuit , though authorities said the final cause will be confirmed only after expert analysis. The incident sparked political controversy, with opposition leaders from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi alleging that key evidence linked to high-profile cases might have been destroyed. Focus centered on the 2015 cash-for-vote case and the phone-tapping allegations . However, the DGP rejected these claims as baseless, clarifying that related documents had already been transferred to court before the fire.

TGFSL Director Shikha Goel stated that crucial material from sensitive investigations remains safe. She explained that many case records are digitized with backup systems , and teams are working on data recovery from affected servers.Senior police officials said a comprehensive investigation is underway, examining ignition sources, fire spread patterns, and building safety systems. Authorities expressed confidence that most information can be restored and that transparency in recovery procedures will be maintained until expert reports determine the final cause.