Srinagar, Oct 16: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday ordered an inquiry against senior IAS officer Kumar Rajeev Ranjan over allegations that he verbally abused and threatened a junior woman officer during an online review meeting, a day after a video purportedly showing the incident went viral on social media.
The development came amid mounting political pressure for action against Ranjan, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah taking up the matter with Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and assuring that no retaliatory action would be taken against the woman officer. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also taken suo motu cognisance of the incident and sought an action-taken report from the Chief Secretary within seven days.
The Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers, meanwhile, observed a pen-down strike in protest against the alleged misconduct.
According to an order issued by the government on Friday, Mandeep Kaur, Commissioner-Secretary to the Government, Housing and Urban Development Department, has been appointed as the inquiry officer to investigate the allegations against Ranjan, Administrative Secretary, Labour and Employment Department.
“Sanction is hereby accorded to the appointment of Ms. Mandeep Kaur, IAS, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Housing and Urban Development Department, as Inquiry Officer to conduct an in-depth inquiry into the matter of alleged misconduct by Mr Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, IAS, Administrative Secretary, Labour & Employment Department, with Ms Beenish Wani, JKAS, Assistant Director, Employment, Ganderbal, being reported in the print/electronic media,” the order stated.
The inquiry officer has been directed to submit her report within 15 days from the date of issuance of the order.
The controversy erupted after a video of an online review meeting for Mission YUVA surfaced on Thursday. In the purported video, Ranjan is allegedly heard using abusive language against Beenish Wani, Assistant Director, Employment, Ganderbal, during a discussion with officials.
When Wani objected to the language used against her, the senior officer allegedly said he could speak to her in that manner and directed a subordinate to prepare an order for her suspension.
The circumstances surrounding the exchange and the allegations against the officer are to be examined as part of the inquiry.
The NCW, in a statement, said it had taken note of the viral video, which allegedly showed Ranjan verbally abusing, humiliating and threatening a junior woman officer.
The commission has sought an action-taken report from Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo within seven days and called for safeguards to prevent workplace harassment, victimisation and professional retaliation against the woman officer.
“The Commission also called for safeguards against workplace harassment, victimisation and professional retaliation, along with protection and support for the woman officer,” it said.
“Every woman officer is entitled to a safe, respectful and dignified workplace. Abuse of authority and workplace humiliation must be addressed with utmost seriousness,” the NCW added.
Chief Minister Abdullah said he had watched the video circulating on social media and found the conduct attributed to the senior officer inconsistent with the standards expected of an IAS officer.
“I’ve seen the video of the online government meeting that is circulating on social media. Prima facie, the conduct of the senior officer was not in keeping with the standards expected of a senior IAS officer, and the subsequent threats issued to a junior JKAS officer only make matters worse,” Abdullah said.
He said he had taken up the issue with the Chief Secretary in the “strongest possible terms” and directed him to ensure that the woman officer did not face any retaliatory action.
“Unfortunately, as a Union Territory, control over IAS officers rests with Lok Bhavan, but as CM, I’ve instructed the CS to ensure the JKAS officer faces no retributive action,” he said.
Abdullah also pointed to the administrative limitations faced by the elected government in taking action against IAS officers in Jammu and Kashmir, which is a Union Territory.
“Had J&K been a state, the IAS officer seen abusing a young JKAS officer would have been attached to the General Administration Department pending an inquiry into his conduct. As a UT, we expect the authorities with control over the IAS officers to set the right example and ensure abusive, threatening behaviour is not brushed under the carpet,” he said.
The incident drew reactions from political parties across the Union Territory, with leaders demanding an impartial inquiry and appropriate action if the allegations were established.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra wrote to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, seeking his intervention in the matter.
In his letter, Karra said the allegations required serious consideration and called for accountability irrespective of the position held by the officer concerned.
“If the allegations are substantiated, appropriate action should follow, irrespective of the position held by the officer concerned,” he wrote.
Peoples Conference president Sajad Lone described the incident as “scary” and praised Wani for objecting to the alleged behaviour.
Lone said workplace bullying within the bureaucracy was not an isolated phenomenon and argued that hierarchical intimidation could extend through different levels of administration, ultimately affecting ordinary citizens.
“We may pretend to be surprised, but reality as it exists is that it is normal for such behaviour to be exhibited. Workplace bullying by officers exists. This is a vicious circle. IAS officers bully their junior officers; their junior officers bully their junior officers; and the viciousness carries on in its most lethal form on to the common masses,” he said.
In Jammu, members of the All India Confederation of SC, ST, OBC, Minority and Adivasi Organisations staged a protest, demanding Ranjan’s termination from service.
The inquiry is expected to examine the allegations concerning the exchange between the two officers, with the government directing the inquiry officer to submit findings within 15 days. The NCW’s intervention has also brought the issue of workplace dignity, protection from harassment and safeguards against possible retaliation into focus.
Meanwhile, Speaking to Kashmir Convener AD Employment Ganderbal, Bineesh Wani (JKAS) said that she is satisfied with the inquiry committee. She stated that she has full faith in the system and that appropriate action will be taken against the officer for his conduct, ensuring the overall safety of the institution, particularly for female employees.
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