Meet man who pursued BTech, later cracked UPSC exam to become IAS officer, currently posted in J-K, is now accused of...

Becoming an IAS officer is a dream for many, but the journey requires clearing the highly competitive UPSC Civil Services Examination. Successful candidates are ranked and assigned prestigious posts, with the IAS being one of the most sought-after positions. While many IAS officers make headlines for their commendable work, others face controversies. One such case is that of IAS officer Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, who is currently serving as the Secretary of the Revenue Department in Jammu and Kashmir. He has been accused of involvement in the infamous arms license scam in the region.

According to a report by Hindustan Times, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has received approval from the Centre to prosecute Ranjan. The charges against him involve issuing arms licenses to undeserving individuals in exchange for monetary benefits during his tenure as Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Jammu.

Kumar Rajeev Ranjan is a 2010 batch IAS officer from the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre. Originally from Bihar, he cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination with an All India Rank (AIR) of 866. A graduate in engineering from Vinoba Bhave University, he earned his degree with first-division honors. After completing his training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), he began his career as Deputy Secretary in the Revenue Department.

Throughout his career, Ranjan has held several significant positions. He was previously the CEO of the Jammu and Kashmir Land Records Management Agency and the Commissioner for Survey and Land Records in Jammu and Kashmir. Despite his professional achievements, the allegations of issuing arms licenses for monetary gain have cast a shadow over his career.

The case is a stark reminder of the responsibilities and ethical standards expected from IAS officers, whose roles are critical in shaping governance and maintaining public trust. Further investigations by the CBI will determine the extent of Ranjan’s involvement in the scam.