The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered an inquiry into alleged misconduct by senior IAS officer Kumar Rajeev Ranjan towards a woman administrative officer during an official online meeting, while the National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident.
The developments follow the circulation of a video purportedly showing Ranjan using derogatory language against Beenish Wani, a Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officer, and threatening to suspend her during a review meeting on October 14.
The controversy has prompted political condemnation, demands for accountability and a pen-down strike by JKAS officers.
In an order issued on Friday, the government appointed Mandeep Kaur, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Housing and Urban Development Department, as the inquiry officer to investigate the alleged misconduct.
“Sanction is hereby accorded to the appointment of Ms. Mandeep Kaur, IAS, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Housing and Urban Development Department, as Inquiry Officer to conduct an in-depth inquiry into the matter of alleged misconduct by Mr Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, IAS, Administrative Secretary, Labour & Employment Department, with Ms Beenish Wani, JKAS, Assistant Director, Employment, Ganderbal, being reported in the print/electronic media,” the order said.
The inquiry officer has been directed to submit her report within 15 days of the order’s issuance.
The NCW has also asked Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo to submit an action-taken report within seven days. The commission said it had taken note of the viral video, which allegedly showed Ranjan verbally abusing, humiliating and threatening a junior woman officer.
It called for safeguards against workplace harassment, victimisation and professional retaliation, along with protection and support for Wani.
“Every woman officer is entitled to a safe, respectful and dignified workplace. Abuse of authority and workplace humiliation must be addressed with utmost seriousness,” the commission said.
Omar Abdullah raises issue with chief secretary
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he had taken up the matter with the chief secretary in the strongest possible terms and instructed the administration to ensure that Wani faced no retaliatory action.
“I’ve seen the video of the online government meeting that is circulating on social media. Prima facie, the conduct of the senior officer was not in keeping with the standards expected of a senior IAS officer, and the subsequent threats issued to a junior JKAS officer only make matters worse,” Abdullah said.
He said that, as Jammu and Kashmir is a Union Territory, control over IAS officers rests with Lok Bhavan, but he had instructed the chief secretary to ensure that the woman officer was not victimised.
“Had J&K been a state, the IAS officer seen abusing a young JKAS officer would have been attached to the General Administration Department pending an inquiry into his conduct,” Abdullah said.
He added that the authorities exercising control over IAS officers should ensure that abusive and threatening behaviour was not brushed under the carpet.
Political leaders demand accountability
Jammu and Kashmir Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra wrote to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, seeking his intervention in the matter.
“If the allegations are substantiated, appropriate action should follow, irrespective of the position held by the officer concerned,” Karra said in his letter.
Peoples Conference leader Sajad Lone described the incident as “scary” and praised Wani for standing her ground.
Lone said workplace bullying among government officers was a wider problem, alleging that senior officers bullied their subordinates, who in turn passed on similar treatment to junior employees, creating a cycle that ultimately affected the public.
Members of the All India Confederation of SC, ST, OBC, Minority and Adivasi Organisations also staged a protest in Jammu, demanding Ranjan’s termination from service.
What happened during the meeting?
The exchange took place during a review meeting of Mission Youth Upliftment and Vibrant Advancement (YUVA), chaired by Ranjan, the administrative secretary of the Labour and Employment Department.
The disagreement centred on the role of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) in implementing the programme.
“Why do you need NRLM? You pass on your work to others,” Ranjan told Wani, according to the video. He also described NRLM as a supporting agency rather than an authority.
Wani responded that NRLM was not the main authority but was required to assist the department, adding that the targets had been completed.
Ranjan then interrupted her and shouted, “Shut up, don’t speak.”
When Wani objected to his language, Ranjan was heard using a derogatory remark against her and asserting that he could speak to her that way. He subsequently asked an official to prepare her suspension order.
Wani replied, “No issues, you can suspend me.”
Ranjan then shouted, “Get out, get out,” as Wani appeared to leave the meeting. She responded, “To hell with you.”
Wani has described the incident as traumatising and said she had informed higher authorities. She also said she had attended the virtual meeting despite being on leave because of a fracture in her feet.
The Labour and Employment Department has questioned the circulation of selectively edited clips, saying the complete recording is available with the National Informatics Centre (NIC). It has cautioned against drawing conclusions without the full context and said the matter would be addressed under applicable rules.
The JKAS Fraternity has condemned the alleged verbal abuse and called for an impartial inquiry, maintaining that performance monitoring cannot justify intimidation or personal insults. Several political leaders have also urged the authorities to ensure that Wani is not penalised for challenging the officer’s conduct.
Ranjan, a 2010-batch IAS officer, was prosecuted by the Central Bureau of Investigation in a 2018 case involving allegations of illegal arms licence issuance in Jammu and Kashmir. He was suspended by the Union Territory government and reinstated in February 2021 following recommendations from a review committee. He is out on bail.
The allegations concerning the October 14 meeting remain subject to the government-ordered inquiry.
