Controversy Erupts in Jammu and Kashmir: Inquiry Launched Against IAS Officer for Misconduct

Inquiry Ordered into IAS Officer's Alleged Misconduct

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the alleged misconduct of senior IAS officer Kumar Rajeev Ranjan towards a fellow officer earlier this week.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also taken notice of the situation on its own accord.

According to a directive from the General Administration Department (GAD), Mandeep Kaur, a 2004-batch IAS officer currently serving as Commissioner-Secretary for the Housing and Urban Development Department, has been designated as the inquiry officer.

Amit Vermani, Additional Secretary of GAD, will serve as the presenting officer, and the inquiry committee has been tasked with delivering its findings within 15 days.

Ranjan, who holds the position of Administrative Secretary for the Labour and Employment Department, sparked controversy after reportedly using offensive language towards Beenish Wani, an Assistant Director (Employment) in Ganderbal, during a meeting focused on the National Rural Livelihood Mission.

Wani, a 2015-batch JKAS officer, was on leave starting October 13, yet Ranjan insisted she attend the meeting via videoconference.

Footage of the intense exchange has circulated widely on social media, prompting strong backlash from the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) community.

The NCW has publicly acknowledged the viral video, which allegedly depicts Ranjan 'verbally abusing, humiliating, and threatening' the junior officer.

NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has reached out to the Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary, urging for video verification, a fair inquiry, and appropriate disciplinary and legal measures if the claims are validated.

The commission has also called for stringent protections against workplace harassment, victimization, and professional retaliation, along with support for the affected officer.

The NCW has requested a report on actions taken within a week, stressing that every female officer deserves a safe, respectful, and dignified work environment.

Ranjan is no stranger to controversy; in 2020, he was arrested by the CBI for alleged involvement in a case concerning the issuance of numerous arms licenses during his time as deputy commissioner in Kupwara, based on falsified documents. He was suspended by the Jammu and Kashmir administration but was reinstated in 2021.