Fuel pump clash: Angry netizens shred suspended Rajasthan SDM for 'lying with straight face', 'using wife to seek support'

Suspended Rajasthan SDM Chhotu Lal Sharma is facing brutal trolling online over his allegations against staffers at a petrol pump in Bhilwara, a day after a CCTV clip of him assaulting the attendants went viral and sparked a debate on the high-handedness of the official.

Sharma, former SDM of Mandal sub-division and currently assistant director (Public Service) at Pratapgarh district headquarters, has alleged that the attendants at the petrol pump misbehaved with his wife, which led to the scuffle. His wife also lodged an FIR against the three attendants, leading to their arrest.

SHOCKER 🚨 SDM Chotu Lal Sharma slaps Petrol Pump Employee in Bhilwara, Rajasthan 😳

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ANGRY SDM : "I am the SDM here, my car came first" 🤯

Petrol pump employee slaps him back.

3 arrested. Now, SDM's wife claims staff misbehaved with her. pic.twitter.com/CmTcyHXhg4

— Times Algebra (@TimesAlgebraIND) October 23, 2025

"The incident happened on October 21. I was travelling with my wife and 2-month-old infant to celebrate Diwali at my village ... we stopped at a fuel pump to fill CNG in my car. They (attendants) started to fill the CNG of the car that was behind us. Later, my wife told me that these guys made some obscene gestures at her too. They intentionally asked us to get off the car and made us stand farther away. Instead of filling the CNG of my car, they started filling the gas in the car behind us. They also started making videos of my wife, which made me angry. I asked them why they were breaking the rules and told them that I am an SDM-level official. This led to a heated argument. They started beating me, and I also retaliated. We then lodged an FIR at the Raila police station," Sharma alleged.

This is how people lie with a straight face...just in case you haven't seen before

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The actual story is that this SDM didn't get out of his car even though it is mandatory at CNG station which is why the guy started fuelling other car & he got enragedpic.twitter.com/VhILXgDe7l

— Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj (@DeepikaBhardwaj) October 23, 2025

However, according to the CCTV footage of the incident, Sharma can be seen getting out of his car while a petrol pump employee was preparing to fill the tank of a white car that had just arrived. He angrily walked up to the employee, yelling, “SDM hun main yahan ka (I am the SDM here)". The video showed him grabbing the employee by his face and pushing him. When another attendant intervened, Sharma slapped him twice, before the staffer retaliated. He went on to abuse the attendants, as per the clip. According to reports, the official was angry since the attendants were filling CNG of the car that came after his.

Sharma's allegations against the petrol pump staff enraged the internet, who accused him of "lying with a straight face". Users also called out the suspended RAS official for using his wife and kids to gain sympathy.

"This is how people lie with a straight face...just in case you haven't seen before. The actual story is that this SDM didn't get out of his car even though it is mandatory at CNG station which is why the guy started fuelling other car & he got enraged," one user commented on the clip.

Another pointed out: "Now this should actually be a case. People like this never change. Look, the wife can’t even make eye contact anymore."

One user said that it was "so pathetic" to see how Sharma is using his wife and infant child to seek support. "Age old practice of cowardice and self preservation of weaker men, still continues."

"He is powerful. He will definitely get away with this lie. It does not matter if CCTV footage is there. Poor petrol pump staff will spend the rest of life fighting this false case. It's shameful that he is using his infant and his wife for this," one user rued.

Several users wondered if anyone would even believes Sharma's allegations.

Hours after video of the incident went viral, the Rajasthan government on Thursday suspended Sharma.

The Department of Personnel issued an order suspending Chhotu Lal Sharma, who was posted as sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) in Pratapgarh, on Thursday night, citing administrative reasons. During his suspension period, Sharma will be attached to the Secretariat, Personnel Department, in Jaipur, the order said.

(With inputs from agencies)