In a major development, the Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered a probe against senior IAS officer Kumar Rajeev Ranjan (IAS:2010:AGMUT) for his alleged misbehaviour with woman officer Beenish Wani during a review meeting on October 14. The inquiry report is to be submitted within 15 days.
On the other hand, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has also taken a suo motu cognisance of the incident and written to the Chief Secretary for action.
It all started after a viral video of a Mission YUVA review meeting allegedly showing Ranjan abusing Wani and threatening strong disciplinary action against her came to light.
The video was drawing wide attention with growing demands for action against the IAS officer. The IAS officer also allegedly threatened to have Wani suspended and dismissed from service.
Beenish Wani is a Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officer of the 2015-batch, currently serving as Assistant Director at the Employment and Counselling Centre in Ganderbal.
The incident took place when Ranjan was chairing the virtual meeting in the capacity of being the Administrative Secretary of Labour and Employment Department. The exchange of arguments broke out after Ranjan questioned Wani about the involvement of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) in implementing the programme. Wani challenged Ranjan’s language and that led to an escalation of heated arguments with Ranjan allegedly using derogatory remarks against her.
The incident evoked sharp criticism and raised questions about the conduct of senior bureaucrats. The IAS officer’s alleged misconduct was strongly criticism by political leaders, with both the ruling National Conference and the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) demanding action against him.
Ranjan, however, is reported to have expressed regret over his remarks later.
But he is not new to controversies. As per media reports, he was suspended in 2020 following his arrest by the CBI in connection with an alleged arms licence scam.
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