The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) officials are in search of a 37-year-old Village Administrative Officer (VAO) who went into hiding following a bribe trap operation in Paramakudi taluk on Monday.According to the officials, the accused has been identified as Muthukumar, the VAO of Mudhulur group in Paramakudi.The enforcement action was initiated based on a complaint filed by a local resident.According to the complainant, Muthukumar had demanded a bribe of ₹5,000 for finalising a patta transfer that had already been processed and completed. Following negotiations, the official reportedly agreed to lower the demand to ₹3,000.Unwilling to pay the bribe, the resident approached the Ramanathapuram DVAC, prompting officials to lay a trap on June 29.During the operation, the complainant was directed to hand over the tainted money. Over a phone call, the accused VAO instructed the complainant to deliver the cash to an employee at a local e-seva center situated in Sathra Kudi.DVAC officials moved in immediately after the transaction and seized the ₹3,000 bribe money from the centre staff.However, Muthukumar was not present at the scene during the raid. Realising he was surrounded, the VAO fled the area.An investigation into the matter is ongoing and search is under way. Published - July 01, 2026 04:37 pm IST