I don,t think the issue here is ninjaing as the JK had a use of an upgrade, Its more like bad manners that he didnt ask the JC if he minded, Tbh if I have been in a similar situation on my JK I would ask. On a side note if I won any loot that I needed to upgrade but is a bigger upgrade for another player in the group I would probably let them have it aslong as they asked politely.
It may seem like being soft but what goes around comes around,