Govt orders 15-day inquiry into alleged misconduct by IAS officer; NCW seeks action-taken report

17/10/2026

JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Oct 16: The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered an in-depth inquiry into alleged misconduct by senior IAS officer Kumar Rajeev Ranjan towards a junior woman officer, while the National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of a viral video purportedly showing the incident.
The government has appointed Mandeep Kaur, a 2004-batch IAS officer and Commissioner-Secretary to the Housing and Urban Development Department, as the inquiry officer. Additional Secretary in the General Administration Department Amit Vermani has been appointed as the presenting officer, with the committee directed to submit its report within 15 days.
The controversy erupted after videos of an online official review meeting circulated on social media, allegedly showing Ranjan, Administrative Secretary of the Labour and Employment Department, speaking abusively to Beenish Wani, Assistant Director (Employment) in Ganderbal, and threatening her with dismissal from service.
Wani, a 2015-batch Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officer, was reportedly on leave from October 13 but had been asked to join the meeting through videoconferencing. The exchange reportedly took place during a discussion concerning the National Rural Livelihood Mission and Mission YUVA.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took serious note of the incident, saying the senior bureaucrat's conduct, prima facie, was not in keeping with the standards expected of a senior IAS officer. He also expressed concern over the alleged threats of retaliatory action against the junior officer.
Abdullah said he had taken up the matter with the Chief Secretary and directed that the JKAS officer should not face any retributive action. He added that, as a Union Territory, Jammu and Kashmir had limited control over IAS officers, and urged the authorities exercising such control to ensure that the alleged behaviour was not overlooked.
The NCW also sought intervention from the Chief Secretary, requesting verification of the video, an impartial inquiry and appropriate disciplinary and legal action if the allegations were established.
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar emphasised that every woman officer was entitled to a safe, respectful and dignified workplace. The commission called for safeguards against workplace harassment, victimisation and professional retaliation, along with protection and support for Wani. It has sought an action-taken report within seven days.
The incident has drawn criticism from political leaders across parties. National Conference president Farooq Abdullah said the alleged conduct was unacceptable and called for action against the officer, stressing that public servants were expected to address people's grievances with professionalism and respect.
NC leader and Hazratbal MLA Salman Sagar also condemned the alleged behaviour, urging the Lieutenant Governor to take appropriate action and ensure that women officers were treated with dignity. He said such incidents could undermine public confidence and deepen feelings of alienation.
Peoples Democratic Party spokesperson Mohammad Iqbal Tramboo described the alleged conduct as regrettable and called for accountability, saying senior officers must exercise their authority responsibly rather than misuse their positions.
The alleged incident has also drawn strong reactions from members of the JKAS fraternity, who have demanded an impartial inquiry and safeguards for the junior officer.
The inquiry is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the exchange and establish the facts. Any further action will depend on the findings of the inquiry and the applicable service rules.

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