Fri Apr 04 12:27:18 UTC 2025: ## Erode VAO, Middleman Arrested for Bribery
**Erode, April 4, 2025** – A Village Administrative Officer (VAO) and a middleman were arrested in Erode, Tamil Nadu, on Friday for accepting a bribe of ₹3,000. The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Unit apprehended Prakash, the VAO of Mempathi ‘A’, and Arulraj, the middleman, while they were receiving the bribe.
The bribe was solicited in exchange for transferring the ownership of agricultural land’s patta (land record) for a resident, Kathirvel, of Sellappagoundan Valasu near Anthiyur. Initially demanding ₹5,000, the VAO lowered the amount after Kathirvel expressed his inability to pay the full sum. Instead of paying, Kathirvel reported the incident to the vigilance sleuths, leading to the sting operation and subsequent arrests. An investigation is currently underway.
First Piper 