Rajasthan SDM Slap Row: Chhotu Lal Sharma, who was posted as sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) in Pratapgarh, Rajasthan, was suspended for allegedly slapping a CNG pump staffer in Bhilwara after an altercation. A video clip in which he is seen assaulting the staff, goes viral on social media, prompting the Rajasthan government to act against him. The action followed after Sharma and the CNG pump employee were caught on camera, slapping each other.

The scuffle broke out over a dispute over refuelling the SDM's vehicle. The Department of Personnel issued an order suspending Sharma on Thursday night, citing administrative reasons. During his suspension period, Sharma will be attached to the Secretariat, Personnel Department, in Jaipur, the order said.

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Complainant Not Legal Wife Of SDM

The matter saw a twist when it was found that the woman, who complained against the petrol pump staff, is not the SDM's legal wife. She had identified herself as his wife in the complaint.

Petrol Pump Employees Arrested

Earlier, three petrol pump employees, Deepak Mali, Prabhu Lal Kumawat and Raja Sharma, were arrested in Bhilwara's Jaswantpura area in connection with a slapping incident involving.

The ugly fight erupted when Chhotu Lal Sharma was involved in a heated altercation with a staffer of a petrol pump that also sells CNG. The altercation broke out following a dispute over filling CNG in another car before the SDM's vehicle.

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Sharma objected to the staffer filling CNG in another car, arguing that his car should be filled first because he arrived earlier. During this, another petrol pump employee intervened, but the officer slapped him. This led to the employee retaliating with a slap, too.

The entire incident was captured on the petrol pump's CCTV cameras. The video of the altercation created outrage on social media, with several users demanding action against the government official.

In the viral video, Sharma is heard as saying “Main SDM hoon, SDM hoon main yahan ka. Pehle tereko pata nahi gaadi lagi hui hai (I am the SDM here — don’t you know my car is here?).”

(With PTI inputs)