Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Oct 16
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has directed Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo to conduct an impartial inquiry into allegations that a senior IAS officer verbally abused and threatened a junior woman colleague during an official meeting.
The commission has sought an action-taken report within seven days and called for appropriate disciplinary and legal action if the allegations are established.
The NCW took suo motu cognisance of a video circulating on social media that purportedly shows Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, administrative secretary of the Labour and Employment Department, berating Beenish Wani, an officer of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service, during a review meeting.
NCW chairperson Vijaya K. Rahatkar wrote to Dulloo seeking verification of the footage and an impartial examination of the incident, according to an official statement.
The commission also called for safeguards to prevent workplace harassment, victimisation and professional retaliation against Wani, as well as appropriate protection and support for the officer.
It said women officers were entitled to workplaces where their safety, dignity and professional standing were respected.
“Abuse of authority and workplace humiliation must be addressed with utmost seriousness,” the commission said.
The incident occurred during a virtual review meeting on October 14, chaired by Ranjan to assess the implementation of the Mission Yuva programme.
The video prompted criticism from political leaders and administrative officers, with several demanding action against the senior officer.
The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday appointed Mandeep Kaur, commissioner secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department, to conduct a separate inquiry into the allegations. She has been asked to submit her findings within 15 days.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has also taken up the matter with the chief secretary and directed that Wani should not face retaliatory action.
The allegations against Ranjan remain under investigation.
