Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Oct 16
The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday ordered an inquiry into allegations that a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer verbally abused and threatened a junior woman officer during an official meeting, following widespread political criticism and protests by members of the local administrative service.
Mandeep Kaur, commissioner secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD), has been appointed inquiry officer and directed to submit her report within 15 days, according to an order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD).
The inquiry will examine the alleged misconduct by Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, administrative secretary of the Labour and Employment Department, towards Beenish Wani, an officer of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) posted as assistant director of employment in Ganderbal.
The incident came to light after a video purportedly showing an altercation between the two officers during a virtual review meeting on October 14 circulated on social media, triggering criticism from political parties and government employees.
The meeting, chaired by Ranjan to review the implementation of the Mission Yuva programme, reportedly turned confrontational when Wani sought to explain the role of the National Rural Livelihood Mission in implementing the initiative.
According to the footage and accounts subsequently circulated, Ranjan interrupted Wani, raised his voice and used an abusive expression. Wani objected to his language, while the senior officer was also shown asking for her suspension.
Wani subsequently lodged a complaint of harassment with senior government officials, seeking action against Ranjan.
The General Administration Department order, issued by Commissioner Secretary M. Raju on October 16, appointed Kaur to conduct an in-depth inquiry.
Amit Vermani, an additional secretary in the department, will serve as presenting officer.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has separately taken suo motu cognisance of the incident and asked Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo to verify the video, conduct an impartial inquiry and initiate appropriate disciplinary and legal action if the allegations are established.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has also raised the matter with the chief secretary, directing officials to ensure that Wani does not face retaliation.
Abdullah said the conduct visible in the video appeared inconsistent with the standards expected of a senior IAS officer.
He said that the control of IAS officers in Jammu and Kashmir, which has been a Union Territory since 2019, rested with the Lieutenant Governor’s administration.
The incident drew condemnation from leaders across party lines.
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah said Ranjan’s alleged use of abusive language towards a woman colleague was unacceptable and called for action against him.
He said he would have sent the officer out of Jammu and Kashmir had a similar incident occurred when the region was a state.
Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti urged Omar Abdullah to take up the matter with the central government and seek strict action.
Her daughter, Iltija Mufti, also criticised the officer’s alleged remarks and called for his immediate suspension.
People’s Conference President Sajad Lone described the video as alarming and said the incident reflected a wider problem of workplace bullying within the administration.
He praised Wani for standing her ground and called for an institutional mechanism to prevent intimidation by public officials.
Lone also questioned why other officers present during the meeting had not intervened.
National Conference chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said the incident highlighted the consequences of Jammu and Kashmir’s reduced administrative powers following the loss of statehood. He said accountability was necessary and no official should be allowed to intimidate or victimise colleagues.
Congress leader Tariq Hameed Karra said he had written to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha over the alleged conduct, adding that seniority did not justify humiliating a colleague.
The allegations remain subject to the inquiry ordered by the government.
