A building officer of the Ujjain Municipal Corporation has come under administrative scrutiny after a video allegedly showing him tasting crocodile meat during a private holiday in Thailand circulated widely on social media platforms. The official at the center of the controversy, Rajkumar Rathore, oversees Zones 1, 2, and 3 within the civic body. Rathore was on sanctioned leave from October 19 to 23, but his formal leave application reportedly omitted any mention of intended foreign travel. Following the emergence of the video footage, the municipal administration initiated an inquiry to establish whether he secured mandatory clearance from the competent authority before traveling outside the country, as required under relevant government service regulations.
Social Media Video Shows Food Stall Visit in Thailand
The controversy surfaced after a video clip, reportedly published on the social media account of Rathore’s wife, began gaining widespread attention online. The visual content shows the officer alongside his wife at an outdoor food stall adjacent to a restaurant in Thailand, sampling what was described as crocodile meat. The post included an English caption stating that the couple was tasting crocodile meat in Thailand for the first time, with carcasses of crocodiles visible in the background footage.
The video drew public attention to the officer’s presence abroad, alerting senior officials in the civic administration. While the consumption of unconventional meat at an overseas destination does not by itself establish a breach of conduct, the footage served as the catalyst for authorities to examine the administrative formalities surrounding his absence. The central question before the inquiry remains whether Rathore satisfied the necessary procedural requirements governing international travel for municipal staff.
Service Regulations Distinguish Between Leave and Overseas Travel
Under established civil service norms, government servants are required to obtain formal prior sanction from the designated authority before leaving the country. Standard approval of casual or earned leave does not automatically confer permission to travel across international borders. The municipal corporation has consequently launched a review to determine whether Rathore sought specific clearance and why his submitted leave request did not disclose his travel itinerary.
Investigators are examining official files, leave ledgers, and related paperwork to ascertain the timeline of applications submitted prior to his departure. Administrative authorities noted that while Rathore was away during his sanctioned leave window, the omission of overseas travel details in his submission constitutes the primary procedural matter requiring formal verification.
Departmental Action Possible Pending Inquiry Outcome
Ujjain Municipal Commissioner has confirmed that the matter will be thoroughly examined by the civic body. Officials reiterated that no final determination has been made and that it remains unconfirmed whether Rathore traveled without official sanction until the records are fully audited. The inquiry will determine whether a procedural lapse took place and whether the officer acted in violation of civil service conduct rules.
Should the internal probe establish that the official failed to follow prescribed protocols for overseas visits, the municipal corporation may initiate departmental action in accordance with statutory guidelines. For now, the administration has refrained from reaching premature conclusions, maintaining that administrative procedures and official records will dictate the final course of action.
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