NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Friday said it had taken suo motu cognisance of a viral video purportedly showing a senior Jammu and Kashmir IAS officer verbally abusing a junior female officer and sought an action taken report (ATR) within seven days.“NCW Chairperson Smt. Vijaya Rahatkar has written to the Chief Secretary, Jammu & Kashmir, seeking verification of the video, an impartial inquiry and appropriate disciplinary and legal action if the allegations are established,” the NCW posted on X.“The Commission has also called for safeguards against workplace harassment, victimisation and professional retaliation, along with protection and support for the woman officer. Every woman officer is entitled to a safe, respectful and dignified workplace. Abuse of authority and workplace humiliation must be addressed with utmost seriousness,” the women’s rights body added.The NCW’s action came after a video purportedly showed senior IAS officer Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, administrative secretary of Jammu and Kashmir’s Department of Labour and Employment, allegedly abusing a junior female officer during a video conference meeting, calling her “bloody sh*t”.
What happened during the video meeting
In the purported video, Ranjan can be seen questioning Beenish Wani, a Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officer posted as Assistant Director, Employment, in Ganderbal, over her performance.Wani told him that she had written to the deputy commissioner and additional deputy commissioner after the district officer of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) said targets could not be achieved and that officials would not cooperate. Ranjan asked her to obtain the response in writing and says she should have informed him directly about the matter.“Why do you need NRLM if others are doing the work? Do you only have to write letters and seek the medal? They are just a helping tool, not the main authority,” Ranjan is heard saying in the video.
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Wani replied that NRLM is needed to assist them, but Ranjan tells her to “shut up”.When she asked Ranjan to let her explain and questions why he was shouting, the IAS officer responded, “You are bloody sh*t. I can always talk to you like this.”When Wani objected, Ranjan told her to “get out” and asked for an order suspending her to be issued.She later told reporters that the incident took place during a review meeting on Wednesday and that she had raised the matter with higher authorities.
