Navi Mumbai: Five Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have been suspended after 3,400 enumeration forms linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls were found at a private photocopy shop in Kharghar, triggering a political confrontation and an administrative inquiry.

The forms, filled by voters from the Panvel Assembly constituency, were found at a photocopy centre in Sector 19 following complaints that SIR applications were being copied there.

Thousands of forms found at photocopy shop

Police reached the premises and took Suraj Patil, who was allegedly getting the forms photocopied, into custody. Authorities also seized thousands of printed forms and shifted them to the police station.

Following the incident, the Electoral Registration Officer deputed Assistant Electoral Registration Officers to inspect the centre. Officials found that Patil had brought 3,400 applications belonging to 11 polling stations.

Most of the applications came from five polling stations, while single copies were found from six others.

The controversy came to light after a video of the incident went viral on Thursday, prompting officials to investigate how voter-filled forms reached a private establishment.

Political parties trade allegations

Shiv Sena (UBT) workers confronted Patil at the shop, alleging that he was associated with the BJP youth wing. BJP workers denied any connection with the matter.

Sena (UBT) workers also alleged that Patil fled the Kharghar police station after being taken there for questioning.

Raigad district collector Kishan Jawale said a case had been registered against Patil under the Representation of the People Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Five BLOs suspended pending inquiry

Jawale visited the Panvel Sub-Divisional Officer’s office and confirmed that five BLOs had been suspended pending disciplinary proceedings.

Sena (UBT) office-bearer Balesh Bhojane questioned how voter-filled SIR forms could have reached private individuals, while Panvel Municipal Corporation mayor and BJP leader Nitin Patil said party workers had no connection with the incident.

NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar said suspending the five BLOs was insufficient and sought action against others responsible. He also called for a response from the Election Commission, alleging that the incident raised wider questions about the conduct of the SIR exercise.

The administration’s inquiry is expected to establish how the forms reached the photocopy centre and whether further action is warranted.