Madanapalle Sub-Collector office blaze: Andhra govt suspects sabotage; orders probe by DGP

Madanapalle: Andhra Pradesh government has ordered a high-level probe into the Madanapalle Sub-Collector office fire in Annamayya district.

The government is suspecting a sabotage in the incident. The fire caused extensive damage to the computers, furniture, and important files.

Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu instructed the DGP CH Dwaraka Tirumala Rao to investigate the incident.

Speaking to the media, the DGP ruled out the ‘short-circuit’ angle. "One thing is very clear it is not an accident but an incident. The fire broke out in the section where 22A files, critical documents related to assigned lands, birth and death certificates, and alienation of lands were kept. We suspect a conspiracy behind this incident".

The DGP said that they have found some fresh matchsticks near the window and recovered a heap of burnt files about 50 meters away. He also clarified that the report has been given by the SPDCAL officials that there are no chances of short circuit or voltage differences in the department.

"Soon after the incident, the Revenue Divisional Officer and Madanapalle CI did not inform their higher officials immediately. All these points show a possible sabotage. We formed a team of 10 to investigate the case. Further decision on transferring the case to CBI will be taken by Thursday," said the DGP.

On July 23, a major fire broke out on the eastern side of the office. A security guard observed smoke and notified the Deputy Tehsildar of Nimmanapalle Mandal. By the time the officials and fire department arrived, the fire rapidly spread, destroying the property, essential documents about land holdings, land allocations, and various government departments within the Madanapalle revenue division.

Surprisingly, the incident occurred shortly before the anticipated arrival of the new Sub-Collector Megha Swaroop, an IAS officer of the 2021 cohort, who was scheduled to assume duties on Monday.

A case has been registered by the police for further investigation. Meanwhile, some officials and residents in Madanapalle expressed major doubts about the destruction of the sub-collector’s office. It may be noted that during the past five years, when the YSRCP government was ruling, there were allegations of unauthorized land acquisitions and allocations to various other corruption have emerged.