Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, 2010 batch IAS officer of Jammu & Kashmir, who is facing CBI probe into his role in the arms licence case for the issuance of thousands of arms licences to non-residents in J&K while serving as deputy commissioner of Kupwara, has once again courted controversy.
He allegedly used abusive language against a junior woman officer and threatened to recommend her dismissal from service.
According to sources, the argument took place between Ranjan and Assistant Director Beenish Wani, a 2015-batch JKAS officer, during a review meeting on Mission YUVA.
Ranjan is posted as Administrative Secretary Labour and Employment in J&K government, repeatedly interrupted Wani, assistant director, employment and counselling centre Ganderbal, when she was briefing the meeting about the targets achieved by her office.
During the meeting, Ranjan questioned Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officer Beenish Wani, who is currently posted as Assistant Director, Employment, Ganderbal, about the role of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM).
“Why do you need NRLM? If this is to be done by others, do you have to only write letters? And you will seek the medal. They are just a helping tool; they have never been the main authority,” Ranjan said, according to a video of the meeting.
In response, Wani said that the NRLM was not the main authority but was needed to assist them. Her response appeared to anger Ranjan, who told her to “shut up” and stop speaking.
Wani asked him to allow her to explain her position and questioned why he was shouting at her. “Madam, chup baithati ho ki nahin (will you keep quiet or not)?” Ranjan said, adding, “How dare you talk to me like this?”
However, Ranjan allegedly repeatedly shouted at her and asked her to “shut up”. He asked the officer if she would sit silent or not.
The junior officer said she needs to explain her position but the IAS officer asked her to stop talking. He also allegedly called her “bloody shit”.
“I can always talk like that. I am your boss, stupid,” Ranjan said.
When the female officer said he cannot call her “shit”, Ranjan told another female officer present in his room to type a suspension order for Wani.
“It is fine, you can suspend,” Wani said.
As Ranjan continued his verbal tirade against the junior officer, she went on to allegedly say “to hell with you”.
The IAS officer asked his subordinate to record the words mentioned by Wani in the suspension order.
“Record this and write to the GAD how she should be thrown out of the service,” he added.
Both Ranjan and Wani were not available for comment.
Vivek Shukla is a management graduate who has worked in corporate worked for 20 years and is now pursuing his passion — news.
