Srinagar, Oct 16 (JKNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Government has directed all officers and officials across the administration to maintain professional decorum, dignity, restraint and mutual respect in official interactions, amid the controversy surrounding the alleged conduct of a senior IAS officer towards a woman JKAS officer during an official meeting.
The General Administration Department (GAD), through Circular No. 24-JK(GAD) of 2026, issued on October 16, a copy of which lies with news agency JKNS, has reminded government employees of their obligations under Rule 3 of the Jammu and Kashmir Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, 1971, requiring them to uphold integrity, devotion to duty, discipline and conduct befitting public servants.
The circular states that all official interactions must be conducted with courtesy, restraint, dignity and mutual respect, irrespective of rank or position. It emphasises that supervisory authority must be exercised responsibly and fairly, while officers and officials must respect lawful directions and established procedures.
The government has also directed that derogatory, threatening or otherwise inappropriate language, as well as conduct inconsistent with the dignity of public office, must be avoided.
All Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Heads of Departments and Managing Directors have been instructed to bring the circular to the notice of employees under their administrative control and ensure strict compliance at all levels.
The circular comes against the backdrop of the controversy surrounding an alleged incident involving Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, IAS, Administrative Secretary, Labour and Employment Department, and Beenish Wani, JKAS, Assistant Director, Employment, Ganderbal, during an official review meeting on October 14.
A video clip circulated on social media allegedly showed the senior officer using abusive and humiliating language towards the woman officer, including the reported remark, “You are bloody shit,” triggering widespread attention and criticism. The allegations have not been treated as established findings, and the matter is under inquiry.
On October 16, the Jammu and Kashmir Government ordered an in-depth inquiry into the alleged misconduct and appointed Mandeep Kaur, IAS, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Housing and Urban Development Department, as the Inquiry Officer. She has been directed to submit her report within 15 days.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also taken suo motu cognizance of the viral video and sought a response from the J&K Chief Secretary within seven days, calling for verification of the video, an impartial inquiry and safeguards against possible victimisation or professional retaliation against the woman officer.
The latest GAD circular sets out the administration’s expectations regarding conduct and professional decorum across all levels of government service. (JKNS)
