The emergence of an alleged video recording in which a senior IAS officer from Jammu and Kashmir, Kumar Rajiv Ranjan, supposedly uses abusive language towards a junior female colleague during a virtual meeting has caused widespread public outcry, the initiation of an investigation, notification to the National Commission for Women (NCW), and calls for the suspension of this high-ranking bureaucrat.
In the video recorded during a meeting on Wednesday, Ranjan, who holds the position of Secretary of the Department of Labour and Employment, is heard telling Binish Vani, an employee of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS), the phrases 'shut up' and 'damn filth.'
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned Ranjan's behavior and sent a letter to Chief Secretary (CS) Atal Dullo to demand action. Omar's father, President of the National Conference (NC) Farooq Abdullah, demanded Ranjan's suspension. Former Chief Minister and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti called on Omar to raise the issue at the Central Government level. Representatives of the National Conference, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, and JKAS Association also demanded action.
Amidst the outrage, the government ordered an investigation into Ranjan on Friday, which will be headed by IAS officer Mandip Kaur. She was tasked with submitting a report within 15 days. Furthermore, a circular was issued mandating all officers to 'maintain the highest standards of honesty, dedication to duty, discipline, and conduct befitting a public servant.'
These actions followed the National Commission for Women (NCW) taking up the matter on its own initiative, and its chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar writing to Chief Secretary Dullo with an urgent request to conduct an impartial investigation, followed by appropriate disciplinary and legal measures if the allegations prove true.
The NCW also demanded assurance of protection against workplace harassment and professional reprisal, as well as protection and support for Vani. The Commission requested a Report on Action Taken (ATR) within seven days. The NCW stated: 'Every female employee has the right to a safe, respectful, and dignified workplace. Abuse of power and humiliation in the workplace must be treated with the utmost seriousness.'
The alleged video shows Vani objecting to being called 'filth'; Ranjan asks other employees whether she should be suspended, and a subordinate replies: 'to hell with you.'
Some JKAS employees met with CS Dullo on Friday. A delegation member reported that Dullo stated that the government 'will not tolerate such behavior' and praised Vani for standing up to Ranjan, whose service in the labour department released a statement denying the video as an AI-generated fake.
Chief Minister Omar also noted: 'I saw the video. At first glance, the senior officer's behavior did not meet the standards expected of a senior IAS officer. Unfortunately, since this is a Union Territory (UT), control over IAS officers is under the purview of Lok Bhavan (the secretariat of LG Manoj Sinha). But as Chief Minister, I instructed the CS (Dullo) to ensure that the JKAS employee (Vani) does not face punitive action.'
NC leader Farooq was sharp in his remarks. He stated: 'The officer (Ranjan) must be removed from Jammu and Kashmir. If he remains, it will be very difficult for him to continue working. If this happened under me, he would not stay here for more than two minutes. I would put him on a plane and send him back.'