Tue Sep 23 15:43:51 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text, followed by a news article based on the information:

**Summary:**

A Village Administrative Officer (VAO) in Koodankulam, Tamil Nadu, India, named Stalwin Jayaseelan, was arrested by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) wing for accepting a bribe. He demanded ₹25,000 from a manual labourer, B. Vijaya, to transfer the patta (land ownership document) of a property to her husband’s name after her father-in-law’s death. Vijaya reported him to the DVAC, who caught him red-handed. The arrest was met with cheers from local villagers.

**News Article:**

**Koodankulam VAO Arrested for Taking Bribe, Locals Celebrate**

**TIRUNELVELI, INDIA – September 23, 2025** – A Village Administrative Officer (VAO) in Koodankulam, Tamil Nadu, was arrested on Tuesday evening by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) wing after being caught accepting a bribe of ₹25,000. Stalwin Jayaseelan, 44, originally from Paalapallam near Karungal in Kanniyakumari district, is accused of demanding the bribe from B. Vijaya, a manual labourer seeking to transfer the patta (land ownership document) of a property to her husband’s name following the death of her father-in-law.

According to DVAC sources, Ms. Vijaya had applied for the transfer through the ‘Ungaludan Stalin’ camp on August 21. After submitting all required documents, she was contacted by a village assistant and subsequently met with VAO Stalwin Jayaseelan. He initially demanded ₹30,000 for the transfer but reduced the amount to ₹25,000 after she pleaded with him.

Upset by the demand, Ms. Vijaya filed a complaint with the DVAC. A team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Mclaurin Escol and Inspector Robin Gnanasingh set up a sting operation, catching Jayaseelan red-handed as he accepted the ₹25,000 from Ms. Vijaya.

Following the arrest, a crowd of approximately 150 Koodankulam villagers gathered at the scene, reportedly cheering and praising the police for apprehending the VAO. Jayaseelan underwent a medical examination at Koodankulam Government Hospital and was remanded to judicial custody later that night. The arrest underscores the continued efforts to combat corruption at the local level.

Read More