Inquiry ordered against IAS officer who ‘misbehaved with’ Kashmir bureaucrat

On Thursday, a video surfaced showing IAS officer Kumar Rajeev Ranjan verbally abusing a woman colleague, Beenish Wani, during a review meeting. In the footage, Ranjan is heard calling Wani derogatory names and threatening her. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident and requested Chief Secretary Atul Dulloo to submit an Action Taken Report within seven days.

Ranjan's superiors have ordered an inquiry into the matter, appointing IAS officer Mandeep Kaur as the inquiry officer to conduct a thorough investigation. The inquiry is expected to be completed within 15 days. The Jammu and Kashmir government has also taken up the issue with the Chief Secretary, emphasizing the need for accountability and a respectful work environment.

Political leaders, including J-K Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra, have called for immediate action against Ranjan, who is a senior officer in the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS). The incident has sparked outrage among the public, with protests held in Jammu demanding Ranjan's termination from service.