A holiday video featuring crocodile meat has brought an unexpected problem for a Madhya Pradesh civic official. Rajkumar Rathore, a building officer with the Ujjain Municipal Corporation, is facing the prospect of departmental action after a video from his Thailand trip surfaced on social media, a TOI report stated. The clip, reportedly shared on his wife's Instagram account, shows the couple trying what is described as crocodile meat. Its caption reads, "Trying crocodile for the first time in Thailand." The video also features visuals of dead crocodiles. However, it is not the unusual food choice that has drawn the attention of his department. The civic body is examining whether Rathore travelled abroad without obtaining the mandatory official permission.
Why has the Ujjain officer come under scrutiny?
According to Ujjain Municipal Corporation Commissioner Abhilash Mishra, Rathore had taken leave from October 19 to 23. He is posted as the building officer for Zones 1, 2 and 3 of the municipal corporation.
The problem, officials said, is that his leave application did not mention that he intended to travel outside India.
The video brought the Thailand trip to the department's attention, prompting questions about whether Rathore had secured the necessary clearance before travelling abroad.
Government employees are generally required to obtain permission from the competent authority before undertaking foreign travel, in accordance with the applicable service rules.
Will the officer face departmental action?
The municipal corporation is examining the circumstances surrounding Rathore's foreign trip. Commissioner Mishra said departmental action could be considered if an examination of the matter establishes that the officer violated the applicable rules.
The final course of action will depend on the findings of the inquiry and whether the required permission was obtained.
Attempts to contact Rathore for his response were unsuccessful.
How a holiday reel became an official headache
What appeared to be a glimpse of an overseas holiday has now put the civic officer under administrative scrutiny. The Instagram reel drew attention to his Thailand visit, while the details of his leave application raised questions within the municipal corporation.
For now, the focus remains on the official permission required for foreign travel, rather than the food featured in the video. Whether the episode results in disciplinary proceedings will depend on what the civic body's examination establishes.