A Village Administrative Officer (VAO) in Karur district has been placed under suspension after an audio recording of a phone conversation went viral on social media. The clip allegedly captures the officer asking for food parcels in connection with issuing a chitta document.
The officer, identified as Karthik, was serving as VAO of Devarmalai village under Kadavur taluk. According to the report, a farmer named Devaraj had applied for a chitta to obtain a bank loan.
When the VAO contacted the farmer over the phone, the farmer’s son answered the call. Believing he was speaking to the farmer, the VAO allegedly asked him to bring two fish fries, gravy packed separately, and onions from a hotel near the bus stand.
The conversation continued after the caller clarified he was the farmer’s son, and the audio later circulated widely online. Kadavur Tahsildar Bhanumathi said the matter had been brought to her attention earlier and that the Collector’s inquiry report would be required, with the Kulithalai Sub-Collector to take a decision.
Subsequently, the Kulithalai Sub-Collector issued orders suspending VAO Karthik, the report said.
