A senior official with the Ujjain Municipal Corporation in Madhya Pradesh has found himself at the center of a departmental investigation following the emergence of a viral video documenting his recent holiday in Thailand. Rajkumar Rathore, who serves as the building officer for Zones 1, 2, and 3, reportedly appeared in social media footage alongside his wife, during which the couple is shown consuming crocodile meat. The video, which has since circulated widely online, captured significant public attention not only for the unusual nature of the food being sampled but for the underlying questions it raises regarding the officer's adherence to professional conduct and government travel protocols.
The controversy began when the video was reportedly shared via the social media account belonging to Mr. Rathore’s wife. The footage depicts the couple standing near a food stall or restaurant setting, where they are allegedly being served the meat. The clip, which includes visuals of dead crocodiles, features a caption explicitly stating that the couple was trying the dish for the first time while in Thailand. This digital trail quickly caught the attention of municipal authorities back in Ujjain, prompting an immediate review of the officer's official leave records and travel history.
Municipal Commissioner Abhilash Mishra has confirmed that the civic body is currently examining the circumstances surrounding the trip. According to official records, Mr. Rathore had requested and received leave from his duties for the period between October 19 and October 23. However, Commissioner Mishra noted that the officer’s formal leave application contained no mention of an intention to travel abroad. This discrepancy forms the basis of the current inquiry, as government service regulations in India mandate that public officials must obtain explicit permission from the competent authority before departing on any international travel.
While the visual content of the viral video has drawn curiosity and commentary from the public, the administration’s focus remains strictly on the regulatory aspect of the incident. The civic body is currently investigating whether Mr. Rathore bypassed the required administrative process to secure clearance for his journey to Thailand. Under established government service rules, failing to notify superiors or secure necessary authorization for overseas movement can lead to formal departmental action. Such consequences may include censure, the withholding of salary increments, or the obstruction of future career promotions, depending on the severity of the rule violation as determined by the internal investigation.
As of now, the Ujjain Municipal Corporation is working to establish the facts of the case. Commissioner Mishra stated that the corporation will thoroughly examine whether the rules were indeed violated, and any subsequent disciplinary measures will be based on the findings of this review. The case highlights the strict scrutiny applied to the professional conduct of government employees, even while they are on approved leave. For now, the administration is prioritizing the verification of travel permissions over the specific activities displayed in the video, emphasizing the importance of transparency and adherence to institutional policies for all municipal staff.
The incident serves as a reminder of the heightened visibility that social media exposure brings to the private lives of public servants. As the inquiry into Mr. Rathore’s travel continues, the case remains a subject of concern for the municipal administration, which seeks to ensure that all personnel remain compliant with the standard codes of conduct governing foreign travel for government employees. The final outcome of the departmental review will clarify whether the officer will face specific punitive measures for his failure to disclose the nature and destination of his October break.
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