A mysterious fire which broke out at the development branch (Room 55 of new building) of the district administration complex in Jorhat of eastern Assam on Tuesday, several files and computers were destroyed.
Deputy commissioner Roshni Korathi said that a magisterial inquiry had been ordered and an FIR lodged at Jorhat police station.
She further said that an inventory of the files which had been destroyed is being made.
The inquiry will be conducted by assistant deputy commissioner Tapan Gohain.
Tuesday being a holiday due to Chilarai Divas, the fire was spotted by a grade 4 employee at about 11 am and was doused by fire tenders.
A source said that files pertaining to expenses in the recently held Mising Autonomous Council, panchayat elections and city infrastructure fund had been damaged apart from others. Three computers had also been damaged.
It is yet to be ascertained how the fire broke out at the time filing this report.
The source said that foul play cannot be ruled out and the fire may have been lit last evening in a bid to get rid of incriminating evidence relating to corruption.
The Assam Power Distribution Company Limited, PWD, and Fire department would work together to find out the cause.
A district administration source said that it that a file relating to a inquiry report submited by PWD (State Roads) on charges of using inferior quality materials by a private contractor in the construction of a drain along the Head Post Office Road was most likely stored in the room number 55.
Previous Jorhat deputy commissioner Narayan Konwar after receiving a complaint from the Jorhat district unit of AJYCP last year about using of old materials in the construction had asked the PWD, State Roads, to look into the allegations.
The source further said that the report had mentioned that after conducting a test of the materials used in the construction in the laboratory of the Jorhat Engineering College, it was found that old materials had actually been used.
In this connection, the AJYCP had also lodged a complaint in the Jorhat Police Station alleging use of old materials in the construction and a case had been registered.