NCW seeks impartial inquiry; CM says he has taken up matter with CS
Jammu Tawi, Oct 16: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Friday ordered an in‑depth inquiry into the alleged misconduct by administrative secretary, Labour & Employment Department, Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, with a female officer of the Jammu & Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) during a review meeting on Wednesday.
The General Administration Department today appointed Mandeep Kour, Commissioner Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, to conduct an in‑depth inquiry into the matter of alleged misconduct by Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, an IAS officer of the 2010 batch, with Beenish Wani, a JKAS officer currently posted as Assistant Director, Employment, Ganderbal.
The inquiry officer has been asked to submit her report within a period of 15 days.
As per the government’s order, Amit Vermani, Additional Secretary, General Administration Department, has been appointed as the presenting officer in the matter.
The probe has been ordered after an audio/video clip showing Ranjan using abusive language against Beenish during a review meeting of Mission YUVA went viral, triggering widespread condemnation from political leaders as well as people on social media.
NCW takes cognizance
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also taken suo motu cognizance of the viral video and written to J&K’s Chief Secretary for an impartial inquiry into the matter.
The Commission’s Chairperson, Vijaya Rahatkar has written to the Chief Secretary, Jammu & Kashmir, seeking verification of the video, an impartial inquiry, and appropriate disciplinary and legal action if the allegations are established.
It has sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) on the matter within seven days.
In a statement, the Commission has also called for safeguards against workplace harassment, victimisation, and professional retaliation, along with protection and support for the woman officer. “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 said.
Have taken up matter with CS: CM
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he has taken up the conduct of a senior IAS officer with the Chief Secretary and directed that no retaliatory action be taken against the JKAS officer.
In posts on X, Omar said the conduct of the IAS officer during an online government meeting was not in keeping with the standards expected of a senior IAS officer, adding that subsequent threats allegedly made against the junior officer had further aggravated the matter.
The Chief Minister said that had Jammu and Kashmir been a state, the IAS officer, who was allegedly seen abusing the junior JKAS officer, would have been attached to the General Administration Department (GAD) 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,” Omar said.
The Chief Minister added that control over IAS officers in the Union Territory rests with Lok Bhavan.
I feel ashamed: Farooq Abdullah
National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah said he felt ashamed after watching a video of the incident.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Farooq said the language used by the officer was unacceptable and reflected a lack of discipline and professionalism expected of an IAS officer. “The language he used with the woman officer was extremely inappropriate. He should be reprimanded. This shows that he lacks the manners and conduct expected of an officer,” he said.
He said officers were appointed to serve the public, listen to their grievances, and resolve their problems rather than insult or humiliate them. “People want to express their grievances, and officers should hear them patiently. Instead, he directly said, ‘Get out, get out.’ This is completely wrong. He should be removed from Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Expressing dismay over the incident, Farooq said, “When I saw the incident on social media today, I felt ashamed. His behaviour was completely unbecoming of an IAS officer. He has put the entire administrative community in an embarrassing position.”
More than workplace bullying: Sajad Lone
Peoples Conference president and MLA Handwara Sajad Gani Lone condemned the humiliation of the JKAS officer, terming the incident “much more than workplace bullying.”
Lone praised the JKAS officer for her courage in standing her ground. He said such conduct has become normalized in official culture.
Uphold professionalism, mutual respect: Govt to employees
Srinagar, Oct 16: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has issued a circular reminding all officers and officials that they must maintain professionalism, courtesy, and mutual respect in their interactions with seniors, colleagues, subordinates, and the public.
Citing Rule 3 of the J&K Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, 1971, the General Administration Department (GAD) directed that employees are expected to uphold integrity, discipline, and conduct befitting public servants.
The circular has been issued at a time when a major controversy has erupted over alleged misconduct by a senior IAS officer with a junior JKAS officer.
It emphasizes that official interactions should be conducted with due courtesy, restraint, dignity, and mutual respect.
Seniority and supervisory authority, the GAD said, must be exercised with responsibility and fairness, while all employees are expected to extend due regard to lawful directions, established procedures, and the responsibilities attached to their offices.
The department cautioned against the use of derogatory, threatening, or inappropriate language, stressing that conduct inconsistent with the dignity of office must be avoided.
The circular directed all Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Heads of Departments, and Managing Directors to bring these instructions to the notice of employees under their administrative control and ensure strict observance.