Omar Abdullah writes to J&K chief secretary over IAS officer’s ‘misbehaviour’, says NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. File | Photo Credit: PTI Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wrote to the Chief Secretary “to ensure that the J&K Administrative Service (JKAS) officer faces no retribution”, ruling National Conference (NC) legislator Tanvir Sadiq said on Friday (October 16, 2026).“The Honourable Chief Minister has taken serious note of the matter and written to the Chief Secretary to ensure that the JKAS officer faces no retribution. Accountability must prevail, and no one should be allowed to misuse their position to intimidate or victimise others,” said Mr. Sadiq.He said if J&K had been a full State, IAS officer Kumar Rajiv Ranjan, accused of using abusive language against an officer in an official meeting, “would have been attached to the General Administration Department (GAD) pending a formal inquiry into his conduct”.“This is precisely why the fight for the restoration of full Statehood is so important, and why those occupying influential positions continue to undermine it,” said Mr. Sadiq.In a video that went viral online on Thursday (October 15), Mr. Ranjan, administrative secretary, Department of Labour and Employment, allegedly used “abusive” and “foul” language against Beenish Wani, Assistant Director, Employment, Ganderbal, during a review meeting of the Mission Yuva scheme.Mr. Ranjan’s “abusive” remarks sparked protests from J&K officers. Ms. Wani told The Hindu that she was not allowed to put across her point in the meeting. “I was on leave, but I still attended the meeting from home. Senior officers should respect the dignity of women,” said Ms. Wani.NC Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah, who criticised the IAS officer’s remarks, said, “This is a grown man with a Secretary’s chair threatening a woman’s career because she asked to be allowed to finish a sentence. This is what the abrogation of Article 370 has brought upon us. An assault on dignity at every level. Even the officers in administration behave like conquerors. If she is touched for holding her dignity, it will have consequences.”Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said, “Such erratic and disdainful conduct cannot be tolerated. Mr. Abdullah must immediately take up the matter with the Government of India and demand strict action against the officer who is already facing allegations of issuing illegal gun licences.”Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Naeem Akhtar said the incident reflected “master-slave relationship established in Kashmir”. “Local officers are the brightest. The officer who abused her has been in and out of the jail for most of his career in a gun licenses scam,” said Mr. Akhtar.He said there were administrative methods to seek accountability. “An IAS can’t abuse and treat locals as native subjects and themselves as sahibs,” said Mr. Akhtar. The PDP leader was referring to a case against Mr. Rajan in the gun license racket, involving several IAS officers in J&K. Mehbooba Mufti urges CM to seek strict actionFormer Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said, “Such erratic and disdainful conduct cannot be tolerated. Mr. Abdullah must immediately take up the matter with the Government of India and demand strict action against the officer who is already facing allegations of issuing illegal gun licences.” Published - October 16, 2026 10:55 am IST