VAO suspended after videos of him taking bribe go viral

Trichy: A village administrative officer (VAO) posted near Manapparai in Trichy district was suspended after videos and audio clips allegedly showing him accepting bribes for facilitating sand transportation operations went viral on social media.The suspended official was identified as R Saravanan Balagurusamy, 33, who had been serving as the VAO of Puthanatham since Feb.According to sources, the controversy surfaced after videos and audio recordings circulated widely online, allegedly showing the VAO negotiating bribe amounts with a local sand dealer and later accepting cash. On May 16, Balagurusamy intercepted a sand dealer, N Dharmaraj of Vadakku Edayapatti, for storing gravel sand and allegedly demanded Rs50,000. Later, Dharmaraj's brother, Dhakshanamoorthy, met the VAO for negotiations, sources said. In one of the videos, the VAO is allegedly seen accepting Rs20,000 in cash.After the video went viral on social media, Trichy RDO M Salai Dhavalavan ordered an inquiry into the allegations. Officials who conducted the probe confirmed the authenticity of the incident and found that the VAO had accepted the bribe amount. Based on the findings, Balagurusamy was placed under suspension on Thursday evening.