The controversy surrounding the Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) officer Chhotu Lal Sharma and a petrol pump altercation in Bhilwara continues to grow, as Sharma’s wife, Deepika Vyas, has now publicly spoken out, claiming that the incident has been misrepresented and that her “dignity has been put at stake.” The dispute, which began as a minor argument over service priority at a CNG-petrol station in Pratapgarh, has now spiraled into a state-level debate on public conduct, official accountability, and media portrayal.

Background: The Incident and Suspension

The controversy erupted earlier this week when a CCTV video circulated on social media showing RAS officer Chhotu Lal Sharma allegedly slapping a petrol pump employee during a heated argument. The video quickly went viral, drawing widespread criticism and prompting administrative action. In response, the Rajasthan government suspended Sharma, pending an inquiry into the matter.

Simultaneously, three petrol pump employees — identified as Deepak Mali, Prabhu Lal Kumawat, and Raja Sharma— were arrested by the police after complaints were filed by both parties involved in the confrontation. The police have stated that the investigation is ongoing and that additional footage and witness testimonies are being reviewed to determine the full sequence of events.

According to the initial police report, the altercation began when Sharma objected to a staff member refueling another vehicle before his own, despite his car reportedly being next in line. What began as a verbal dispute quickly escalated into physical aggression, with both sides allegedly exchanging blows.

Wife’s Statement: “My Dignity Has Been Put at Stake”

In a statement given to news agency ANI, Deepika Vyas, who was present at the time of the altercation, offered a drastically different version of events from what the viral video appeared to show. Standing beside her husband, she claimed that the petrol pump staffers had behaved inappropriately toward her and provoked the incident.

“On Diwali, when we had left for our village, we stopped for CNG at a fuelling station. The workers there made inappropriate gestures at me and then proceeded to fuel the car behind ours. I told my husband about it. He got angry, after which there was an altercation between him and the petrol pump workers,” Vyas said.

She expressed frustration at how the incident had been covered, saying that it had been given “an absolutely different angle,” with the narrative focusing solely on her husband’s actions while ignoring the alleged harassment she faced. “My dignity has been put at stake,” she said, urging authorities to consider her version of events before drawing conclusions.

RAS Officer’s Defense: “The Truth Is Being Distorted”

Sharma, who was posted as an RAS officer in Pratapgarh, has defended his actions, asserting that he only reacted in anger after his wife was allegedly disrespected and that he too was physically assaulted during the altercation.

“I went to the petrol pump with my wife to refuel our car when an attendant broke the rules and began refueling another vehicle first,” he told reporters. “The attendant even made inappropriate gestures at my wife. When I objected, the situation escalated, and the staff attacked me.”

He further claimed that the CCTV footage circulating on social media presents an incomplete version of events, omitting crucial moments in which he was allegedly attacked. “The petrol pump workers hit me with fists and rods, but that was not shown in the CCTV recording that went viral. Injustice has been done to me,” he said.

Sharma also emphasized his modest background and long years of service in the administrative sector, expressing deep disappointment at how the situation has unfolded. “I have come from very humble beginnings and worked really hard to reach where I am today. I have a whole family to look after — my children from my previous marriage, my brother’s kids, and a two-month-old child live with us. I urge the government to investigate this issue thoroughly and deliver justice,” he added.

Police Response and Legal Action

The Bhilwara police confirmed that three petrol pump workers — Deepak Mali, Prabhu Lal Kumawat, and Raja Sharma — were taken into custody following the altercation. Authorities have registered cross-complaints from both sides and are analyzing multiple CCTV angles, as well as eyewitness statements, to piece together the complete timeline of events.

A senior police official stated, “We have arrested three individuals based on preliminary evidence, but the case is still under investigation. Both the petrol pump staff and the RAS officer’s side have made serious allegations. We will ensure a fair probe before drawing conclusions.”

Sources in the Rajasthan administrative department also indicated that the government had acted swiftly in suspending Sharma to ensure “impartiality and transparency” during the inquiry process. A departmental investigation is expected to run parallel to the police probe.

Public Reaction and Social Media Divide

The incident has sparked heated debate across social media and local communities. While some users criticized Sharma for what they perceived as misuse of official authority, others have defended him and his wife, arguing that public judgment has been based on an incomplete video clip.

Civic rights groups and women’s organizations have also weighed in, calling for a balanced and gender-sensitive investigation that does not trivialize allegations of harassment. “If the woman’s claims are true, then the issue goes beyond a physical altercation — it becomes a question of dignity and workplace behavior,” said one activist in Jaipur. “However, it is equally important to verify all claims through proper investigation.”

The incident has also reignited discussions about public behavior by government officials, with critics arguing that those in administrative positions should exercise restraint, regardless of provocation. Others contend that the virality of short video clips often leads to premature condemnation without context.

Wider Administrative and Political Context

Within administrative circles, the case has become a talking point, highlighting the challenges faced by civil servants in dealing with public scrutiny and media trials. Officials have pointed out that suspension in such high-profile incidents is often a procedural step, not a declaration of guilt.

Political responses have been cautious so far. A senior Rajasthan government spokesperson said, “The government is committed to an unbiased investigation. Both parties have made serious allegations, and the truth will emerge only after a thorough inquiry.”

Conclusion: Awaiting Clarity Amid Contradictory Claims

As the investigation continues, the Bhilwara petrol pump incident remains mired in contradictory narratives — one emphasizing misconduct by a public servant, the other pointing to harassment and provocation by petrol pump staff.

While the CCTV footage appears to show the officer slapping a staffer, both Sharma and his wife insist that the video omits crucial context and that he acted out of anger after his wife was allegedly humiliated. With the government inquiry and police investigation still underway, the case underscores the growing complexities of social media-driven public judgment, the pressures on public officials, and the sensitivity required in addressing allegations involving women’s dignity.

For now, both Sharma and Vyas continue to maintain their innocence, asserting that the entire episode has unfairly damaged their reputations. As Vyas put it:

“The truth has been twisted. What happened that day was not about power or privilege — it was about respect.”