Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered an in-depth inquiry into the alleged misconduct of senior IAS officer Kumar Rajiv Ranjan after a video of his alleged verbal abuse of a woman Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officer during an official online meeting triggered widespread outrage.
According to a government order issued on Friday, Mandeep Kaur, IAS (AGMUT: 2004), Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Housing and Urban Development Department, has been appointed as the inquiry officer to investigate the allegations involving Ranjan, IAS (AGMUT: 2010), Administrative Secretary, Labour and Employment Department, and Beenish Wani, JKAS, Assistant Director, Employment, Ganderbal.
The inquiry officer has been directed to submit her report within 15 days from the date of issuance of the order. Amit Vermani, JKAS, Additional Secretary to the Government, General Administration Department, will serve as the presenting officer in the matter.
What Happened During the Mission YUVA Review Meeting?
The incident reportedly took place on October 14 during an online review meeting of Mission YUVA chaired by Kumar Rajiv Ranjan at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar.
Beenish Wani, a 2015-batch JKAS officer serving as Assistant Director, Employment, Ganderbal, was briefing officials on the progress made by her office when a heated exchange occurred.
A purported video of the confrontation subsequently circulated widely on social media. The clip shows Ranjan questioning the role of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) in the assignment and repeatedly asking Wani to remain silent as she attempted to explain her position.
The exchange escalated, with the senior officer allegedly using abusive language and threatening suspension. Wani objected to the manner in which she was being addressed and insisted on being allowed to explain herself.
In the video, Ranjan is heard using derogatory language, while Wani responds by objecting to the remarks. The incident prompted criticism from political leaders and civil service associations, who called for accountability and protection of the affected officer.
Omar Abdullah Calls Conduct Unacceptable, Seeks Protection for JKAS Officer
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed concern over the incident and said he had taken up the matter with the Chief Secretary.
In a post on X, Abdullah said the senior officer’s conduct, as seen in the circulating video, did not appear consistent with the standards expected of a senior IAS officer. He also criticised the alleged threats directed at the junior JKAS officer.
The Chief Minister said he had instructed the Chief Secretary to ensure that Wani did not face any retaliatory action.
Abdullah also highlighted the administrative limitations arising from Jammu and Kashmir’s status as a Union Territory, stating that control over IAS officers rests with Lok Bhavan. He said that, had Jammu and Kashmir been a state, the officer could have been attached to the General Administration Department pending an inquiry.
He urged the authorities responsible for IAS officers to ensure that alleged abusive and threatening behaviour was not overlooked.
Mehbooba Mufti Demands Strict Action Against IAS Officer
PDP chief and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also criticised the alleged conduct and called for strict action.
Mufti said such behaviour could not be tolerated and urged the Chief Minister to take up the matter with the Government of India.
She also referred to allegations concerning the issuance of illegal gun licences against Ranjan and called for accountability in the matter.
Congress Leader Tariq Karra Writes to Lieutenant Governor
Jammu and Kashmir Congress president Tariq Karra said he had written to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha regarding the alleged use of abusive language and conduct he described as unbecoming of a senior IAS officer.
Karra stressed that bureaucratic rank did not justify humiliating a colleague and said civil servants were expected to demonstrate dignity, discipline and accountability.
He also criticised the alleged display of arrogance and intimidation, arguing that public officials must exercise authority responsibly and maintain professional standards.
JKAS Association Announces One-Day Pen-Down Strike
The alleged incident has also prompted a strong response from civil service associations in Jammu and Kashmir.
The All Jammu and Kashmir Junior Scale KAS Association (AJJSKA) condemned the reported verbal abuse of Wani. Separately, the Interim Body of the JKAS Association decided to observe a one-day pen-down strike in protest against the alleged humiliation of the woman officer during the October 14 meeting.
The association said the protest was intended to defend the dignity, self-respect and institutional honour of the JKAS fraternity. It urged members to stand together in solidarity, stating that an attack on the dignity of one officer concerned the entire service.
The association also alleged that the incident was not isolated and claimed that Ranjan had a pattern of using unparliamentary and demeaning language in an official capacity.
Its key demands include:
- An impartial inquiry into the incident.
- Protection for Beenish Wani against any retaliatory action.
- A public apology from Kumar Rajiv Ranjan.
The government has now ordered an inquiry, with the report required within 15 days.
Kumar Rajiv Ranjan Also Faces Investigation in Arms Licence Case
Kumar Rajiv Ranjan is also facing a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation in connection with the Jammu and Kashmir arms licence scam.
In November 2024, the Centre granted sanction to prosecute the 2010-batch IAS officer over alleged irregularities in the issuance of arms licences.
The arms licence case is separate from the current allegations concerning his conduct during the Mission YUVA review meeting.
Inquiry to Examine Allegations of Misconduct
The 15-day inquiry will examine the allegations involving Ranjan and Beenish Wani, following the controversy surrounding the online meeting and the subsequent public reaction.
The government order names Mandeep Kaur as the inquiry officer and Amit Vermani as the presenting officer. Meanwhile, political leaders and the JKAS Association have called for accountability and safeguards against possible retaliation.
The inquiry’s findings are expected to establish the facts surrounding the incident and inform any further action by the competent authorities.
