India
oi-Ashish Rana
A holiday video has landed a Madhya Pradesh civic officer in trouble, with questions being raised about whether he followed official rules before travelling abroad. The clip, which shows Ujjain Municipal Corporation building officer Rajkumar Rathore and his wife trying crocodile meat in Thailand, has prompted the civic body to examine his foreign trip.

Ujjain Municipal Corporation officer Rajkumar Rathore faces an inquiry after a video of him tasting crocodile meat in Thailand surfaced; officials are investigating if he secured requisite permission for foreign travel during his October 19-23 leave.
Viral Video Raises Questions Over Thailand Trip
The video reportedly appeared on the social media account of Rathore’s wife before spreading online. It shows the couple near what appears to be a restaurant or food stall, where crocodile meat is reportedly served. The clip carries the caption, “Trying crocodile for the first time in Thailand.” It also includes visuals of dead crocodiles.
उज्जैन नगर निगम के भवन अधिकारी राजकुमार राठौर का पत्नी के साथ थाईलैंड में मगरमच्छ का मांस खाते वीडियो वायरल। विदेश यात्रा की अनुमति नहीं लेने पर नगर निगम ने विभागीय कार्रवाई के संकेत दिए।#Ujjain #RajkumarRathore #UjjainNagarNigam #ThailandViralVideo #CrocodileMeat #MadhyaPradesh #DepartmentalAction #PeoplesUpdate
— Peoples Update (@PeoplesUpdate) October 24, 2026
However, the main concern for the municipal corporation is not the food shown in the video, but whether Rathore secured the necessary permission to travel outside India.
Leave Application Did Not Mention Foreign Travel
Municipal Commissioner Abhilash Mishra said Rathore had taken leave from 19 to 23 October. The officer is responsible for building-related work in Zones 1, 2 and 3 of the Ujjain Municipal Corporation.
According to Mishra, Rathore’s leave application did not mention any plan to travel abroad. The corporation is now checking whether he obtained the required approval before visiting Thailand.
Government Rules Require Prior Permission
Government service rules require officials and employees to seek permission from the competent authority before undertaking foreign travel. Taking leave from work does not automatically mean an employee has received approval to travel overseas.
The civic body will examine the circumstances of Rathore’s visit and determine whether he followed the applicable rules.
Departmental Action Depends On Findings
Reports suggest that Rathore travelled to Thailand without obtaining the mandatory permission. However, the municipal corporation’s examination will establish whether the rules were violated.
Mishra has indicated that departmental action may be considered if the inquiry confirms a breach of the applicable rules. The next steps will depend on the findings of the civic body’s examination.
