Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have come together across ideological lines to call for action against IAS officer Kumar Rajeev Ranjan. This follows the emergence of a video where Ranjan is seen verbally abusing a woman officer during an official meeting. The ruling National Conference (NC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have all expressed their outrage over the incident. NC chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq stated that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has instructed Chief Secretary Atul Dulloo to ensure accountability and safeguard the woman officer from any potential backlash.

Sadiq emphasised the need for accountability, asserting that no individual should misuse their authority to intimidate others. He highlighted the limitations of the current Union Territory structure, which places IAS officers under the jurisdiction of the Lieutenant Governor, thereby restricting the Chief Minister’s ability to take disciplinary measures. Sadiq noted that had Jammu and Kashmir been a full state, Ranjan would have faced immediate transfer pending an inquiry into his conduct.

The NC spokesperson’s remarks underscored the importance of restoring full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, suggesting that influential positions continue to undermine this goal.

Details of the Incident

The incident that sparked widespread outrage occurred during a review meeting on ‘Mission YUVA’, which was chaired by Ranjan, who serves as the secretary of the Labour and Employment Department. During the meeting, Ranjan interrupted Beenish Wani, an assistant director at the Employment and Counselling Centre in Ganderbal, as she presented her office’s achievements. When Wani attempted to clarify her points, Ranjan resorted to abusive language, reportedly calling her “bloody shit” and threatening immediate suspension.

The Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services (JKAS) officers’ association has publicly supported Wani, asserting that this incident is not isolated. They claim that Ranjan has a history of employing “unparliamentary and demeaning language” in professional settings. Following the video’s release, Ranjan has not issued any comments regarding the incident.

Political leaders from various parties have condemned Ranjan’s behaviour. PDP leader Iltija Mufti has also called for action against him, while BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur labelled the officer’s conduct as unacceptable. Thakur pointed out that Ranjan has previously been implicated in a gun scam, further calling for accountability.

Previous Controversies Surrounding Ranjan

This incident is not the first time Kumar Rajeev Ranjan has faced scrutiny. In 2020, he was suspended following his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with a probe into the issuance of arms licences based on forged documents. He was reinstated in 2021, but the case remains unresolved. The investigation pertains to his tenure as deputy commissioner of Kupwara district from 2015 to 2016.

Since 2019, the CBI has been investigating irregularities related to the issuance of over 278,000 arms licences to ineligible individuals across several districts of Jammu and Kashmir. These licences were allegedly issued by district magistrates and deputy commissioners in exchange for bribes. On February 17, 2025, the CBI registered a case against Ranjan and his family in a disproportionate assets case, conducting searches at multiple locations, including his office in Jammu and residences in Varanasi, Srinagar, and Gurugram.

The ongoing controversies surrounding Ranjan have raised significant concerns regarding the conduct of public officials in Jammu and Kashmir and the need for accountability within the administrative framework.

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