J&K IAS officer faces probe for abusing woman colleague during online meeting

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday ordered an inquiry against senior IAS officer Kumar Rajeev Ranjan for allegedly abusing and threatening a junior woman officer during an official virtual meeting, after a video of the confrontation went viral and sparked widespread outrage.

Ranjan, who serves as Secretary of the Labour and Employment Department, allegedly used derogatory language against Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officer Beenish Wani, Assistant Director of Employment, during a review meeting of Mission YUVA, an entrepreneurship and self-employment initiative.

Senior IAS officer Mandeep Kaur, Commissioner Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department, has been appointed to investigate the allegations. Amit Vermani, Additional Secretary in the General Administration Department, has been named the presiding officer. The inquiry report must be submitted within 15 days.

The government initiated the inquiry a day after the video surfaced on social media, prompting criticism of the senior officer's conduct and demands for accountability.

𝗩𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲

The controversy erupted during a virtual review meeting concerning Mission YUVA and coordination issues in the implementation of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM).

In the widely circulated video, Ranjan is heard repeatedly interrupting Wani as she attempts to explain administrative difficulties relating to the programme.

"Shut up. Shut up. Don't explain," the senior officer is heard saying during the exchange.

When Wani objected to the manner in which she was being addressed, Ranjan allegedly used abusive language, calling her "bloody shit".

The woman officer immediately objected, telling him, "You can't call me shit."

Ranjan subsequently asserted his authority by saying, "I am your boss," and later called for her suspension.

The exchange triggered criticism over workplace conduct, the treatment of junior officials and the alleged misuse of administrative authority.

𝗢𝗺𝗮𝗿 𝗔𝗯𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗵 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀

Following the controversy, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wrote to Chief Secretary Atul Dulloo, directing that no retaliatory action should be taken against Wani for objecting to the senior officer's conduct.

Abdullah said he had raised the matter in the strongest possible terms, while the administration moved to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The intervention came amid demands from political leaders and administrative service officers for action against Ranjan.

The National Commission for Women also took suo motu cognisance of the incident and sought an action-taken report within seven days.

Members of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service observed a pen-down strike in protest against the alleged misconduct.

𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Wani confirmed that the incident had taken place and maintained that the circulating video was neither fabricated nor generated using artificial intelligence.

She said she had attended the virtual meeting from home despite being on leave because of a fractured foot.

"Dignity of a woman should be protected. No one can treat us like that," she said.

Ranjan, meanwhile, expressed regret over his remarks, saying that if he had used inappropriate language in the heat of the moment, he was sorry.

However, he maintained that the confrontation had to be viewed in the context of the entire meeting and alleged that the junior officer had also used provocative language.

He argued that administrative reviews required senior officials to question subordinates and fix responsibility for the implementation of government programmes.

The Labour and Employment Department subsequently emphasised the importance of mutual respect, discipline and professional decorum in official interactions. It also cautioned against drawing conclusions from selectively circulated video clips without considering the complete proceedings.

The department said the matter would be dealt with under applicable rules and regulations.

The inquiry will now examine the allegations against Ranjan and the circumstances of the exchange, with its findings expected within 15 days.