Rajasthan Petrol Pump ‘Slapgate’: Woman Who Filed FIR Not SDM's Legally Wedded Wife

Last Updated:October 23, 2025, 19:24 IST

Following the viral video, a police complaint was filed by Deepika Vyas, who identified herself as Chhotu Lal Sharma’s wife.

The altercation occurred at a petrol pump near Jaswantpura in Bhilwara district.

The “slapgate" incident involving Rajasthan Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Chhotu Lal Sharma took a new turn after it emerged that the woman who lodged a police complaint identifying herself as his wife is not his legally recognised spouse. The revelation sparked further controversy around the embattled officer, already known for his chequered service record and past disciplinary actions.

Petrol Pump ‘Slapgate’

The altercation occurred on Tuesday at a petrol pump near Jaswantpura in Bhilwara district, where Chhotu Lal Sharma, a Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) officer, had stopped to refuel his car. A video of the incident- now widely circulated on social media- shows the SDM shouting at the petrol pump staff, claiming his official status and demanding immediate service.

“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?)", he can be heard saying before getting into a scuffle with a staff member. Moments later, another employee intervenes and is slapped by the SDM, but he retaliates- slapping the officer back. The exchange, captured on camera, led to demands for Chhotu Lal Sharma’s suspension.

Complaint Filed By ‘Wife’

Following the viral video, a police complaint was filed by Deepika Vyas, who identified herself as Chhotu Lal Sharma’s wife. In her complaint, Deepika Vyas alleged that petrol pump workers made lewd gestures and “winked" at her, which angered the SDM and triggered the confrontation.

“The person refuelling winked at me, which angered my husband… he stepped out, and two people started assaulting him," Deepika Vyas said in her statement. Police later detained three petrol pump employees in connection with the incident.

However, officials said, as per India Today, that Deepika Vyas is not legally married to Chhotu Lal Sharma and that the officer’s legally wedded wife is Poonam Sharma, who has been living separately with their children for several years after allegedly being evicted from their home.

Chhotu Lal Sharma’s Chequered Service Record

The “slapgate" controversy is the latest in a long line of disputes linked to SDM Chhotu Lal Sharma, who has been removed from his post three times over the past decade. In 2017, during a state outreach programme, Chhotu Lal Sharma was removed after a public altercation with a panchayat samiti development officer. Later that year, he faced disciplinary action for alleged irregularities in the mining operations of a private company, Jindal Shah Ltd. In 2018, while posted as SDM in Tonk, Chhotu Lal Sharma was accused of assaulting his peon after the latter allegedly fled with bribe money meant for delivery to the officer’s home.

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