A senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer has landed in a major controversy after a video of him allegedly ‘abusing ‘ a woman Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officer during an official virtual meeting went viral on social media, triggering massive outrage.
The officer has been identified as Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, Secretary of the Labour & Employment Department in Jammu and Kashmir.
When contacted, Wani confirmed that the incident had taken place. She clarified that the video was neither morphed nor AI-generated. Following the incident, the Department of Labour and Employment, Jammu and Kashmir, issued a clarification regarding the clips circulating on social media. The Department reiterated that mutual respect, discipline and professional decorum are essential in official interactions, and that all officers and officials are expected to maintain due respect towards their seniors while discharging their official duties. It also emphasised that provocative remarks and inappropriate language have no place in professional administrative engagements, which must remain guided by mutual respect, restraint and institutional dignity.
The incident took place during a review meeting of Mission YUVA – convened to assess progress of the flagship national rural mission (NRLM) scheme, according to sources. Despite suffering a fracture in her foot and being on leave, she said she had attended the meeting from home via virtual mode. “If we will not even question officers, then how will we hold review meetings and fix responsibility?” he asked.
