In J&K, two bureaucrats, different paths — one viral controversy

Rajeev Ranjan Kumar, a 49-year-old senior IAS officer from Bihar, is currently embroiled in a controversy following a viral video showing him abusing Beenish Wani, a Kashmir Administrative Service officer. This is not the only controversy Ranjan has faced; he is also booked by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for allegedly issuing gun licences illegally between 2012 and 2016.

The alleged scam involved issuing over 2.74 lakh gun licences for monetary gains, amounting to more than Rs 100 crore. Ranjan, who holds a BTech in Mechanical Engineering from B.I.T. Sindri, has held several key administrative positions including district magistrate, Commissioner of Survey and Land Records, and Special Secretary in the Revenue Department.

Before joining the IAS, he worked for DRDO as a scientist leading a strategic missile project team. In contrast, Beenish Wani, a 42-year-old KAS officer from Srinagar, is described as cooperative, punctual, and hardworking by her former colleagues. She comes from a politically connected family and previously worked as a dietician in Delhi before joining the government service.

Both Ranjan and Wani work in the labour department, with Ranjan serving as the administrative secretary and Wani as assistant director in Ganderbal.