Sun Mar 23 14:55:59 UTC 2025: ## Vellore VAO Arrested for Bribery, Suspended
**Vellore, March 23, 2025** – A 38-year-old Village Administrative Officer (VAO) in Veppur, Vellore district, has been arrested and suspended for accepting a bribe. V. Gopinath was apprehended by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) officials after demanding and receiving ₹10,000 from a complainant, S. Nizamuddin, to change a land patta (title deed).
According to DVAC sources, Gopinath, who had been working in the village for about a year, initially demanded ₹15,000 but later settled for ₹10,000. Nizamuddin subsequently filed a complaint with the DVAC, leading to a sting operation. A seven-member DVAC team, headed by Inspector S. Mythili, caught Gopinath red-handed.
Following his arrest, Gopinath was remanded to the Central Prison in Vellore. Collector V.R. Subbulaxmi swiftly suspended him from his post. An investigation into the matter is ongoing.
First Piper 