Tamil Nadu: Village Administrative Officer arrested for accepting bribe
A 41-year-old official and an alleged broker were caught by anti-corruption police in Periyakulam for taking money to process land records.
A Village Administrative Officer (VAO), Vidhya, and a 28-year-old alleged broker, Marudhu, were arrested in Periyakulam, Tamil Nadu, for accepting a ₹20,000 bribe. According to Urban Acres, the arrest occurred following a trap operation set by anti-corruption police.
The incident began when a 67-year-old farmer, Kaaliraj, requested an update to the land records for 58.45 cents of agricultural land located in Periyar Colony, Theni district. Kaaliraj informed the police about the demand for money to complete the patta mutation application.
On November 4, Kaaliraj delivered the cash to Vidhya at her office as instructed by the police. Vidhya then handed the money to Marudhu before both individuals were taken into custody.
Patta mutation is the process used to record changes in the ownership and possession of land. Further legal proceedings are awaited in this case.