Five BLOs suspended after BJP worker allegedly caught photocopying 3,404 SIR forms in Navi Mumbai

Five boothlevel officers BLOs have been suspended after a local BJP worker was allegedly found photocopying more than 3000 Special Intensive Revision SIR electoral forms containing voter details at a shop in Navi Mumbai an official said on SaturdayThe case came to light after a local Shiv Sena UBT leader allegedly found Suraj Patil an officebearer of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha BJYM with 3404 SIR forms linked to the Panvel assembly constituency at a photocopying shop in KhargharAuthorities were subsequently alerted following which revenue officials examined the documents and found them to be authentic electoral forms officials saidBJP youth wing officebearer found with over 3000 formsAccording to officials the forms were linked to the 188 Panvel assembly constituency and contained sensitive voterrelated informationThe seized documents included voters photographs personal details and the signatures of the BLOs responsible for handling the formsFollowing the seizure revenue officials verified the documents The nayab tehsildar subsequently filed an official complaint which led to the registration of a police case against PatilOfficials are investigating how the original forms came into the possession of the BJP youth wing officebearer and why they were being photocopied at the shopRevenue officials confirm documents were originalDistrict officials said the forms recovered from the Kharghar shop were authentic SIR documents and had been issued as part of the electoral revision processOur officers verified the documents and found that they were indeed original and were the responsibility of the BLOs Hence we suspended five BLOs from that area the Raigad collector saidThe suspension of the five BLOs was based on their responsibility for safeguarding and handling the electoral documents according to the district administrationAuthorities have not disclosed whether the five officials were suspected of directly handing over the forms or whether the documents reached Patil through another personCase registered under BNS and election lawThe Kharghar police have registered a first information report FIR against Patil under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS and the Representation of the People ActThe case concerns the alleged unauthorised possession and photocopying of official electoral documents containing voter informationPolice said Patil was detained in connection with the matter and was later served a notice in accordance with standard legal procedure before being releasedFurther investigation is underwayQuestions raised over handling of voter informationThe incident has raised questions about the handling and security of official electoral documents particularly forms containing voters photographs and personal detailsBLOs play a key role in the electoral process and are responsible for handling documents connected with voter registration and revisionOfficials said the suspension was intended to address the apparent lapse involving documents that were under the responsibility of the BLOs concernedInvestigators are expected to examine the circumstances under which the forms were removed from official custody and taken to the photocopying shopWith inputs from PTI