J&K Orders Probe Into Verbal Spat Between Senior IAS, JKAS Officers
The matter escalated after a purported video surfaced in print and electronic media, reportedly showing an exchange between the two officers during a Mission YUVA review meeting. The exchange was said to revolve around the role of the National Rural Livelihood Mission, sparking public criticism and prompting government intervention
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has launched a formal inquiry into allegations of misconduct involving senior bureaucrats Kumar Rajeev Ranjan and Beenish Wani, directing the inquiry officer to submit findings within 15 days.
Government Order No. 1654-JK(GAD) of 2026, issued on Friday, appoints Mandeep Kaur, IAS, Commissioner/Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department, as the inquiry officer. She has been tasked with examining allegations against Ranjan, Administrative Secretary of the Labour and Employment Department, and Wani, Assistant Director of Employment in Ganderbal.
The matter escalated after a purported video surfaced in print and electronic media, reportedly showing an exchange between the two officers during a Mission YUVA review meeting. The exchange was said to revolve around the role of the National Rural Livelihood Mission, sparking public criticism and prompting government intervention.
The administration has also named Amit Vermani, JKAS, Additional Secretary in the General Administration Department, as the presenting officer for the inquiry.
With the inquiry now formally underway, the government awaits the report before deciding on any further action.
Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognizance of the viral video that shows Ranjan verbally abusing and threatening junior JKAS officer Wani NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has written to J&K Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, seeking verification of the footage, an impartial inquiry, and disciplinary as well as legal action if the allegations are confirmed.
The Commission has also asked the administration to ensure safeguards against workplace harassment and retaliation, and to provide protection and support to Wani. An Action Taken Report has been sought within seven days.
Employee bodies, including the Jammu and Kashmir Employees Joint Action Committee, have condemned the alleged behaviour and called for a fair inquiry. JKAS officer Mantasha Binti Rashid expressed solidarity with Wani, saying professional work cannot come at the cost of personal dignity. The All Jammu & Kashmir Junior Scale KAS Association (AJJSKA) has announced a one‑day pen‑down strike to protest what it describes as the verbal abuse and public humiliation of a woman Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officer during the October 14 official meeting.
Amid the uproar, the Labour and Employment Department issued a clarification stating that the viral clips do not reflect the full context of the October 14 meeting and that the complete recording is available with the National Informatics Centre. The department said discipline and decorum are essential in official interactions and urged the public not to rely on selectively edited material, adding that the matter will be handled under established rules.
