Ethics Case Studies ra

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Case Studies

I.

Integrity and Professional Behavior:

A junior member of staff has just returned to work after taking special leave to care for

her elderly mother. For financial reasons she needs to work full-time. She has been having

difficulties with her mothers home care arrangements, causing her to miss a number of team

meetings (which usually take place at the beginning of each day) and to leave work early. She is

very competent in her work but her absences are putting pressure on her and her overworked

colleagues. You are her manager, and you are aware that the flow of work through the practice is

coming under pressure. One of her male colleagues is beginning to make comments such as a

womans place is in the home, and is undermining her at every opportunity, putting her undereven greater stress.

Q.How should you proceed so as not to discredit yourself, your professionor the

practice for which you work and at the same time maintainingintegrity

andconfidentialityin your actions?

II.

Honesty and Integrity:

Jayanth is a son-in-law of a local MLA and is now posted as block development

officer in his father-in-laws constituency. He comes to know that MLAs followers, who aremainly small contractors and many elected members of Gram Panchayat, are hand in glove with

local Panchayat officials in misusing MGNREGA funds. He finds that each Panchayat secretary

along with elected members have used machines to complete many works under the scheme and

siphoned off funds using fake job cards. He also finds out that all this was done at the behest of

his father-in-law, the local MLA. Now, the state government has taken cognizance of the issue

after a media report and has ordered inquiry into the scam.

Jayanth has to probe the matter and file a report to higher authorities. His father-in-law is

pressurizing him to file a false report as he himself is under pressure from his followers, who if

found guilty will be slapped with a criminal case. Some contractors have contacted and requestedhim to not to mention their names in the report in return for a hefty bribe. Some Panchayat

secretaries have requested him to spare them as according to them Panchayat members had

coerced them into becoming partners in crime. Jayanth is recently married and it is his first

government job.

Q. What should be his course of action?
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III. Ethics In Public and Personal Relationships:

Keshav recently got a job of First Division Assistant in Tehsil (Taluk) office. He is

smart and hardworking. Because of which Tehsildar has become fond of him and though he is

Keshavs superior, he has made Keshav his good friend.

Keshav is married to Ramya who is educated and recently got posted as Panchayat Secretary,

incidentally to the Panchayat office located in Keshavs village itself. Ramyas mother-in-law is

not supportive of her and her job. She frequently taunts Ramya and demands all of Ramyas

salary to be given to her. Though Keshav supports Ramya, he seldom objects to her mothers

remarks to his wife.

A young, male Panchayat member of same Panchayat where Ramya works ,and who wields

considerable clout in the village and Tehsil, comes to know that she had illegally signed a

property assessment certificate and claims that he has documents to prove his claim. Thecertificate was obtained by a relative of this Panchayat member who was not in good terms with

him. In the past serious fights were taken place between them over this property.

Ramya insists that she signed it only after Panchayats bill collector surveyed the property and

gave his verbal assurance about the legality of the property in question. As he was born and

brought up in the village and knew matters of the village very well, Ramya had trusted him. Now

the Panchayat member is threatening her to take the matter to District Panchayat and get her

suspended.

Ramya seeks her husbands help who is close to tehsildar and who in turn is a close friend of

Block Development Officer. Ramyas mother-in-law is forcing her to quit the job and stay athome, but Ramya wants to be financially independent and pleads her innocence. Keshav is in

moral dilemma over the entire episode.

Q. What should beKeshavs course of action so that he doesntcompromise his

ethics in personal and professional relationships?

IV.

Ethics in Public Service:

Ramanujan Shastri, secretary in the ministry of defence, is a respected and admired

bureaucrat. Defence minister trusts Ramanujan and has given him a free hand in the ministry.

Ramanujan, who is at the fag end of his career, recently lost his elder son and wife in an accident

and ever since , he has kept a low profile and has grown more fond of his other son who now just

finished his graduation from an ordinary institution in the capital.
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In a deal involving direct government to government contract with a major arms supplier,

Ramanujan is tasked with speeding up the contract agreement and finalize the deal. The

manufacturer, who will benefit immensely if the process is expedited, on many occasions has

personally contacted Ramanujan and expressed his frustration in the slow movement of files in

the ministry.

Ramanujans younger son wants to study in a worlds most reputed university for which he

needs a lot of money and good references. Son has his fathers complete support and he himself

is contemplating the idea of moving out with his son to a new place, but money is the constraint.

The person from the company who is in touch with Ramanujan comes to know about this and in

one of his meetings with Ramanujan, he assures him to look after his sons entire higher

education costsfrom admission to placement to a well paying jobprovided he speeds up

the finalization of the deal.

Because of unexpected political circumstances, the defence minister now wants to scrap the deal.

From his experience Ramanujan senses that the present controversy is temporary and somehow

the deal will be inked later. Ramanujan who has few months of service left with him is in a

dilemma. He doesnt want to disappoint his son and at the same time he wants to be in good

terms with the minister. The deal, if signed, doesnt harm anyones interests. The products are of

world class and is sure to add value to the countrys defence arsenal .

Q. What should be Ramanujans course of action in this situation?

V.

Ethical Dilemma:

Girija, a smart and extremely talented young IAS officer, is posted as SDM of

a Sub-Division in a Southern State, under whose jurisdiction the constituency belonging to a

young MP falls. He is projected to become PM as he is the heir apparent in his party. Most

opinion poll surveys have predicted that his party would come to power at the centre on its own

strength in the impending general elections. He is also a bachelor.

Girija, is now married to a handsome and equally talented IPS officer, who is now posted as ASP

in a district far away from where she works. Their marriage has been smooth so far.

The young MP, in his first official meeting with the officials of his constituency notices Girija

and is impressed by her personality and work. After the meeting, he sends her an official
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communication to meet him and discuss about a project that is being implemented in his

constituency. The meeting is held at his residence.

During his meeting, he offers her a position in PMO if he comes to power. Getting into PMO is

the dream of many bureaucrats, but Girija declines the offer citing her marriage and want ofgrassroots experience. However the meeting ends cordially and the young MP is more impressed

about her. He gives her his personal number and asks her to be in touch with him. After few days

of chat, he starts signaling his affection for her. Girija, though she loves her husband, keeps her

frequent chats with the MP a secret. The problem is she too is stung by the charm of the young

MP. But she is aware of the consequences of any false step from her side and maintains a safe

distance from him.

Meanwhile the elections get over and the young MP is now the PM of the country. He sends her

an unofficial communique to join PMO mentioning that if her response is affirmative, the officialorder would be sent soon . This job, especially for an young officer is a ladder to excellent career

prospects in future and it is hard to come by even with lot of lobbying. She discusses the offer

with herhusband, but she refrains from discussing about the chats she frequently had with the

MP. Her husband asks her to take her own decision keeping in mind family and professional

consequences.

She is apprehensive about the intentions of the PM and if she joins, she may have to compromise

her personal life. Her husband can not move with her. Earlier she had refused the offer and now

the job seems to be enticing one considering the career prospects.

Q. What should Girija do knowing the risks and benefits of the new offer?

VI.

Ethics In Public Service:

Ajay Mishra, a senior IAS officer has come to be known as an eccentric officer

thanks to his show of brutal honesty in public service. But his friends and colleagues who know

him personally respect and love him a lot for his vast knowledge and affability.

Recently he was shunted out of a prominent department as a punishment transfer as Managing

Director to an ailing state cooperative milk federation. It was his fifth transfer in three years. Not

able to cope up with her husbands frequent transfers to east-west and north-south parts of the

state, Ajays wife is sick for many years now and the children have moved out to foreign

countries on the pretext of higher studies never to come back.
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The chairman of state milk federation is a powerful politician very close to the Chief Minister.

Ajay, in his first month of duty itself comes to know about many irregularities in the functioning

of the federation and high-handedness of the chairman in financial matters.

A board member belonging to a political party opposed to that of the chairman and who has agood chance of becoming chairman once the incumbent steps down or resigns, meets Ajay

privately and hands over few documents and a secret video recording where the chairman

appears to be demanding huge bribe for releasing funds to district milk unions. The video clearly

shows that it is indeed the chairman asking a director of a district union for bribe.

As soon as Ajay took over incharge as MD, the chairman was demanding speedy disbursal of

funds to district unions which was pending for many months.

Ajay confronted the board member why he didnt go public with the video himself. The membertold him that he is actually blackmailing the chairman for some time now and he is not yielding

to his threats as he is being shielded by the CM. The board member now wants MD to confront

the chairman and go public himself as this would give the MD fame and public support. The

board member has had requested leader of the opposition party to pressurize Ajay and it had

worked too. Ajay is now being pressurized by prominent leaders of the opposition parties,

privately, to go against the chairman. They are offering him a lucrative post in the capital once

they come to power. And they want to embarrass the government.

Ajay, if he confronts the chairman, is sure to be transferred immediately to a distant districtagain. His wife whose mental status is deteriorating day by day is not in a condition to move

again to a new place.

On the other hand, the opposition party is gaining ground in the state and is sure to come back to

power soon. The board member wants to use Ajay for his political gain by using him as pawn.

Q. What should be Ajay Mishras course of action in the present situation?

VII.

Moral Dilemma:

Rajiv is an IAS aspirant. He studied in two premier institutions and worked for a

while in an IT company. He quit the job and started preparing for the civil services exams. In his

first attempt he wrote mains but could not qualify for the personality test. In next two attempts,

however, he gave interviews but fate had it that his name did not appear in the final list. In all
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three attempts he had scored less in Mains and in two interviews his score was average if not

bad.

Coming under General Merit, Rajiv had only four attempts to get into IAS. For the last attempt,

he decided to take a break of one year and prepare extremely well giving no chance to fate. Bythen he had spent five years just for preparing for this exam with no job in hand.

He did prepare well and easily sailed through the Preliminary and Mains exam. For his final

interview, Rajiv, prepared himself very well. He read widely. He contacted his peers and well

wishers, talked to them extensively and took feedback on his body language and communication

skills. He took mock tests at prominent institutions and got a very positive feedback. His

confidence was at an all time high. By the time interview call letter came, Rajiv was fully ready

to face his final test to realize the dream of becoming an IAS officer.

On the previous day of his interview, Rajiv talked to his parents, girlfriend and teachers and

sought their wishes. He had a sound sleep too.

His interview was scheduled in the second session i.e in the afternoon. On the day of his

interview, in the morning Rajiv was calm, composed and had a friendly chat with fellow

aspirants who had stayed together in a friends room.

He had his lunch and left room in his bike half an hour before the scheduled time of his

appearance at UPSC office.

Rajiv was riding his bike with lots of thoughts in his mind. The road was almost empty. As he

was riding, just in front of him, a speeding bike collided with the road divider. Seeing this, Rajiv

stopped his bike for a minute and went near the accident scene. A man, crying with pain, was

lying in a pool of blood and a girl child, around 5 year old, was lying unconscious next to the

man. Rajiv looked around for help, but two or three cars sped away without stopping by.

Rajiv had to be at UPSC office in 10 minutes. If not he would forever lose his dream of

becoming an IAS officer.

Q.In this situation, what should Rajiv do?


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choice.The Naxals rejected the government offer. Unlike the earlier leadership, the local

commander meant business and he warned the government that if it did not heed to their

demands soon, the head of the DM would be sent to district HQ.

The moment of truth arrived. In a final talk with the DM, the local commander gave him a choicebetween death and relinquishment of his job as an IAS officer. Prateek had to send his

resignation letter with immediate effect, and with a caveat that if the government didnt accept

his decision immediately, he would be executed, if it accepts he would walk free. There was one

day time left for him to take decision or hold dialogue himself and convince the Naxals to free

him before his execution.

Q. If you were to be in Prateeks position, what would have been your decision?

Would you give life for the country? Would you resign and walk free? Justify

your answer on ethical basis.

IX. Decision Making:

As SDM you have received a complaint that in a village under your jurisdiction,

people belonging to a religious community who are in majority there ( this community is a

minority in the state and country) are constructing an illegal religious structure on village

common land. It is nearing completion. The complaint is filed by a local leader belonging to a

community who are in minority (majority in the state and country) in the village.

You have verified the complaint and found that indeed the structure is being illegally constructed

on village common land. You also find that this structure is funded by local MLA.

You had issued a show cause notice to the trust thats constructing the structure asking them

why it shouldnt be demolished. They have replied that a Panchayat of villagers (not official

Gram Sabha) was convened and it had decided to construct the structure for the community

purpose as they didnt have a proper place for prayers and congregation. They have also replied

that they are willing to pay the fine if the government decides to impose any and have ardentlyrequested not to order demolition as it might lead to communal clashes in the village.

Q.The issue is sensitive as majority of the village wants it constructed at any cost.

As SDM how will you proceed to resolve the issue?
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X Ethics In Personal and Public Relationships:

Sumati loved Ranjan when they both were undergoing training as IAS

probationer officers at LBSNAA. After their training, they married each other and were allotted

same state cadre.

Both were posted as SDM to two subdivisions in the same district. They both stayed together at

the district HQ. The sub division where Ranjan worked was rich in mineral resources and mining

was rampant. It was home to many rich people.

Sumati came to know that Ranjan was getting tempted by bribe offers offered by mining barons

in the region to overlook certain land related issues. She observed that he was bringing home

costly gifts. One day she confronted him but he told her that he was not doing anything illegaland some rich people impressed by his working style were being just very generous in spite of

his reluctance to receive anything from them. He was also attending parties thrown by some very

rich people in the district.

Sumati was now growing uncomfortable with Ranjans attitude. They both loved each other

very much, in fact it was Sumati who had proposed him first.

One day she came to know conclusively that Ranjan had taken bribes from some people. She

also comes to know that the favour for which Ranjan has compromised would create a great loss

to state exchequer. She is an upright officer and has made herself a good name.

If she takes a drastic step, it might endanger her marriage.

What should Sumati do knowing her husband is involved in graft and her

marriage to him might get jeopardized if she takes a drastic step?

XI. Emotional Intelligence:

Radha was very proud of her father. He was a senior bureaucrat in the state and he

was invited to every major functions in Radhas school and colleges. She used to feel like a star

on such occasions. She boasted about her father in her friends circle. It was not without reason

as her father himself used to tell her his stories of honesty, integrity in administration from his

personal experiences.
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Radha was a brilliant student in her studies. She had many friends and some enemies too. Ramya

was one of those enemies who was jealous of Radha and she constantly searched for an

opportunity to hurt Radha with her acerbic taunts. Most of the times Radha avoided encountering

Ramya inside the college campus.When Radha was in her final year of graduation, just before

her final exams, her father was arrested on charges of corruption and was sent to jail. This

became a major news in the state and severely affected Radha mentally.She did not want to write

her exams as she felt embarrassed to go to college. But her friends and mother convinced her to

give exams as it was very important for her future. As soon as Radha entered college, Ramya

met her and started talking sarcastically about Radhas father that how an honest father got

arrested and how Radha had come to write exams in spite of a major crisis in her family. Ramya

wryly asked Radha if her father had gone to jail to deliver lecture about honesty and integrity.

One of Radhas close friends slapped Ramya there itself.Radha was hurt by Ramyas comments

and not able to control her emotions she rushed out of college crying loudly. That day she did not

give her exam. Next day she committed suicide at her home.

In the above example, Radha, Ramya and Radhas friend who slapped Ramya all have displayed

different shades of low emotional intelligence.

Q.Analyze how each one of them would have behaved if they all had possessed

high emotional intelligence?

XII. Emotional Intelligence:

Mukul was a hard working policeman. He married a beautiful girl from his

village. Both of them stayed in a house at police quarters.Mukkuls boss, Sub-Inspector Sandeep

was an arrogant and flirtatious officer. He did not treat his subordinates well. He had an eye on

Mukuls wife ever since he first saw her on the day of Mukuls wedding. His house was in the

neighborhood of Mukuls. Unlike other superior officers, Sandeep often invited Mukul to visit

his home with his wife for dinner and to other get together parties. Mukul had noticed thatSandeep was trying to get closer to his wife by making jokes and giving unsolicited advises.

Sandeep denied Mukul any holidays. Mukul was tired of asking for leave so many times and had

even mildly protested once. Sandeep wanted Mukul and his wife to stay at the quarters all the

time.
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Once Mukul wanted a fifteen days of leave to arrange and look after his only sisters wedding.

He had to go to his native with his family for fifteen days. Mukul officially kept asking for leave

two months well before the wedding date itself. But as expected Sandeep kept refusing him any

leave. Just before the scheduled day Mukul had to leave for his native, he once again finally

asked Sandeep to grant him leave. Sandeep said that he would grant him leave provided he wentalone to the marriage leaving behind his wife in the quarters.

Mukul, agitated, took his loaded rifle and shot the inspector dead. He then surrendered to the

police.Emotional intelligence is must for police officers to work in a stressful and provocative

environment.

Q.Explain how would have been Mukul andSandeepsbehaviour if they had

possessed high emotional intelligence?

XIII.Case-13:

You are travelling in a train in sleeper class at night. You have not slept

properly for three days because of some hectic tiresome personal work. You are desperately in

need of some good sleep.

At around 10 pm an old woman and a small girl child with lots of luggage gets into the car you

are in. They have general ticket but dont possess reserved tickets. Someone had advised them

that if any seats are vacant, Ticket Ticket Examiner (TTE) would accommodate them.

Unfortunately no seat is vacant.

You are falling asleep and the old woman and child are standing next to your cabin

awaiting anxiously the arrival of TTE. It appears that the old woman is sick and they are

traveling to some distant place on an urgent notice. This TTE is not a kind man and as soon as

he comes to know that these two are travelling without a valid ticket, he starts abusing them

badly. He asks the woman and child to pay hefty fine and sleep on the floor near toilet or wait

near the door till next station arrived which is two hours away and get into general carwhich

is far away from the sleeper class for these two to run and get into. Their ardent requests are met

with constant abuses. TTE even doesnt care when the small girl starts crying as she is very

sleepy. TTE states clearly that he is not willing to accommodate them with anyone in the sleeper

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You lost your sleep and heard the diatribe of TTE against these hapless woman and child. Inside

the train its very cold.

Q. As a responsible citizen with empathy towards others, what would you do to

help the old woman and child? How will you resolve the issue?

XIV.Case-14:

You are having lunch with your close friend Naveen. You both are friends since

childhood and your families are also close to each other, its like one family. Naveen recently got

appointed as Assistant Director in Social Welfare Department.

During conversation, Naveen tells you that he is enjoying his work because its giving him an

opportunity to help the poor. He also says that he is not asking anyone for bribes but people

themselves pay him money because they are happy with his speedy service. He says that he

initially did not receive any money but when more and more people insisted, he started taking

bribes. He also says that just before he arrived for lunch he was given a good amount of money

by a happy beneficiary in his office.

You are a Deputy Superintendent of Police and you are on duty. Naveen knows this, but he is

sharing his experiences as he does with any one of his family members. He did not, even for a

moment, think that you were a cop on duty.

Q.As a responsible officer who is on duty, and whos duty is to enforce law, whatwill you do to your friend?

XV.Case-15:

After a year of intense training at LBSNAA , Anil has come to Mukherjee

Nagar to meet his close friend Parul who is preparing for civil services. Anil is wearing squeaky

clean white shirt and a costly pant and shoes. Instead of going to a posh hotel, out of nostalgia

Anil visits a roadside tea shop to have a cup of tea with his friend who is comfortable with it.

A 10 year old boy, who was cleaning dishes until their arrival, brings both of them two glasses

of tea on his masters order. Anil who is on a phone call, unaware of boy standing behind him,

accidentally touches the plate carrying tea glasses. Hot tea spills all over his shirt and glasses are

broken into pieces on the ground. The owner of the shop, seeing this, beats the boy to a pulp.


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Q.What would be your reaction as a human being and as a would be IAS officer if

you were in Anilsplace?

XVI.Emotional Intelligence:

Jyothi, a young IAS officer, was transferred to a Zilla Panchayat as its new

Chief Executive Officer. It was a punishment transfer, thanks to her impeccable personal and

professional integrity, and short temper.

Soon after her posting, a monthly review meeting was called by the ZP President. He was an

influential political figure in the district. In the meeting, one of Presidents ardent followers,

stood up and directly questioned the CEO why his demand for sanctioning two borewells to his

constituency was not yet met. Other members joined him and in few minutes, the meeting hall

was in ruckus. This was premeditated to unsettle the new CEO, known for strict discipline.

She tried to explain that she would go through the files and would soon direct concerned officials

to take action. But members were unrelenting. CEO got angry and asked everyone to behave

themselves. This irked many and the commotion grew louder.

ZP President, take aback by the CEOs outburst, shouted at her and spoke to her in singular using

derogatory language. He warned her that it was the right of members to question her and a

protest would be held outside against her. Jyothi was insulted in front of all the members and her

pride was hurt.

Q.Explain how Jyothi could have handled the situation in the meeting and what

should be her reaction to the Presidents insulting remarks against her

XVII.Case-17:

Mihir is a new Panchayat secretary. Within few days he got a circular which

said that he should soon conduct Grama Sabha to finalize the action plan of MGNREGA. Action

plan contains the list of works to be undertaken in the villages and their estimated expenditures.

This should be decided in the Grama Sabha and the decision of Gram Sabha is immutable.

The Gram Sabha was held and chairman, all elected members, officer in-charge,engineer,

people from villages debated and finally listed important works to be undertaken and the

estimated expenditure was decided there itself.
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Next, this plan had to be approved in the Panchayat meeting and sent to Tehsil for further

approval for sanction of funds. The chairman of Panchayat, who was also a class-I contractor,

met Mihir and asked him to manipulate the funds estimates. Even few members who themselves

were small time contractors and who had previously used machines in MGNREGA scheme to

finish works and draw money, joined Chairman in demanding manipulation of the action plan.

Mihir strongly objected to this. On the day of meeting, which was a closed door meeting inside

the Panchayat office, he was manhandled by some members in the office after he resisted their

attempt to snatch the action plan and manipulate it, and was threatened that if he didnt act

according to their orders, he would be thrashed again and again. Someone outside called the

police. But when police arrived, the chairman alleged that Panchayat secretary behaved in

an indecent manner with female members hence he was thrashed. Female members seconded this

allegation.

Mihir was taken to police station. Police refused to accept his version of the incident, which was

true. He was helpless at the moment.You are his superior officer (BDO). Mihir contacts you and

tells you his part of the story.

Q. At the same time, Panchayat members narrate their version. How will you

proceed from here?

XVIII.Case-18:

Sanjay was busy whole year making preparations for his only sisters wedding.

On the day of the wedding, just before Vivah Muhurtam, the parents come to know

thatMangalyamis missing. There is a palpable tension around. Sanjay, who is very angry, tells

everyone that he would buy one and come back immediately. He had to come within an hour.

He goes to jewelry shop alone on a bike and buys a Mangalyam. While returning

to wedding hall, traffic police stops him as he is not wearing helmet. When inquired police come

to know that Sanjay does not possess driving licence too. He has to be there at the wedding hall

within 15 minutes. He explains this to police, but they insist that he should pay Rs 2500/- fine.

Sanjay has only Rs 500 left at the moment in his pocket. He says he has only Rs

500/- and he would pay the fine later. Police say that if he cant pay the fine he should leave his

vehicle with them for now and walk to the wedding hall, and later collect it by paying fine, or he

pay Rs 500/- as bribe and go to the wedding hall. He cant walk as it would take more than an

hour. His mobile is ringing incessantly. Even if he asks someone to come and


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collect managlyam, it would take a lot of time. Going by auto or taxi is also no option as he

doesnt have much time and moreover he cant see any auto or taxi stand in the vicinity. If he

pays bribe, he can reach on time and save the marriage.

Q.What areSanjays options and which one he should choose?

XIX.Case-19:

Raghu and Ragini loved each other a lot. When everything seemed fine,

Ragini was forcefully married off to a wealthy guy by her parents and sent to a distant country

thanks to Raghus lower caste. Raghu was heartbroken and slipped into depression. He swore

that he would either marry Ragini or die of hunger.

However, luckily for him, he found a new friend in Rashmi. She was his classmate in his college

days and had loved him secretly, but never expressed it to him. Rashmi with her presence and

constant support made Raghu to forget the past. Raghus friends convinced him to marry

Rashmi. He married her. Though he didnt love Rashmi, nevertheless he was happy to get a

companion and liked Rashmi very much.

Meanwhile, Ragini never loved her wealthy husband. Every day she was craving for Raghu,

with whom she was not in contact for many months now. Unfortunately her both parents got

killed in a road accident. She came back to India, but never returned to her husband. Now Ragini

was alone with no one around her for her support. She was the only child of her parents. She

inquired about Raghu. Came to know about his whereabouts and present condition. Still she

contacted him and both met secretly. She narrated how she loved him all theses days and

expressed her desire to get married to him despite knowing he was already married. Though,

Raghu was pushed into chronic depression indirectly by Ragini, he never hated her. In fact he

still had soft corner for her. Now she had come for him leaving everything behind.

Q.What should Raghu do now?

XX.Case-20:

Rajendra is a reputed structural engineer and is working for a major metro rail

project. He is in charge of design, construction and positioning of pillars of metro flyover.


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A junior engineer in his team tells him that there is a major flaw in two erected pillars supporting

a section of the flyover and they should be replaced/readjusted at any cost. These two pillars

supported a flyover curve and if collapsed, it would cause a major accident and put many lives

into danger. Moreover, in few days it is to be inaugurated for trial runs.

Rajendra brushes aside the apprehension and warning by his junior. But later in

the evening, on second thought, he once again scrutinizes his plans and drawings, and finds that

his junior was indeed right.

Accepting his mistake would tarnish his reputation for Rajendra. If any accident happens, which

is certain to happen at certain point of time in future, it would affect the reputation of the

company that constructed it. It will embarrass the government too.

Also, replacing the pillars would inflate the cost for the company and would further delay theproject.

Q.In this situation:

1) What should Rajendra ideally do?

2) What would be the legal and ethical consequences of Rajendras continued

silence?

3) What are the qualities that are tested in this case study? Examine.

XXI.Ethical Dilemma:

You are the Director of a reputed college. One of the most meritorious

students of the College has come to you with a request for a small upwards revision in his score.

He has got 89.99% in the final semester. But, it requires at at least 90% or above in each

semester to qualify for higher studies in all reputed Universities. He fulfils the criteria very well

save the final semester.

Q. Would you revise his score to 90% realizing his career prospects and given hisacademic background? or Would you allow his merit to suffer just because of a

tiny fraction of percentage and rigid rules of the college? Justify.
http://insightsonindia.com/2013/10/25/ethics-case-study-21-ethical-dilemma/http://insightsonindia.com/2013/10/25/ethics-case-study-21-ethical-dilemma/


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XXII.Case Study -22:

You are the DM of a hill district of an Indian state which has poor civil infrastructure.

The Home Minister of the state has same place his constituency. Unfortunately there is a clash

continuing between two group of laborers in a factory in the town on some unknown communal

issues, but have not caused casualties yet. The state Home Secretary has instructed you to

monitor the situation and prevent any miss-happening(s).

Around 9 pm in the evening it was raining heavily when you were informed that the minister had

met an accident. The Home Secretary again asked you to facilitate things there. Coincidentally

the time you reached hospital you see two brutally injured patients being pushed in

simultaneously. You realized one as the minister. A police officer meanwhile briefed you that the

other one was a laborer belonging to the minority community from the disputed site and had

been brutally attacked around the same time the minister met the accident.

The team of doctors had started their emergency care. But then the superintendent of the hospital

informed you of criticality of the two cases and said that both patients had casualties of same

magnitude (clinically) and required immediate operations which for the hospital had an OT

equipped minimally to carry one operation only. The town has no other private or govt. hospital

to carry such critical operation. You contacted the officials in capital for a helicopter to fly the

minister there but were informed that bad weather didnt allow one. Roads in the rain will take 8

hours to reach the capital and adjacent district headquarters cannot be accessed by road till

morning. The team of doctors is pushing you to take a decision between the two patients as who

to be taken first for operation. Meanwhile, the hospital superintendent hinted you that the other

may succumb to his injuries during the next 3 hours of operation.

Your choice is going to affect two lives. On one side is a VVIP and elected leader of masses,

neglecting whom will create political, professional, social and personal upheaval. On the other is

a poor laborer, lone bread earner of his large family. His death may lead to unwarranted situation

of labor unrest and communal clash both.

You, the DM, belong to the same minority community to which belongs this dying laborer. You

see the families of both the men. Women crying, children sobbing.

Q.Assuming the above hypothesis true, propose an ideal approach as an

administrator in the above case.
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XXIII.Case Study23:

You, a graduate from a top medical college of the country made it to the

civil services and got IAS. After a few years you were made the DM of a left wing extremism

affected backward district of an already poor state. Unfortunately there is a drought continuing inthis part of the country for previous two years. You are visiting a few villages in a block deep in

the forest inhabited by poor tribals. There is a team of doctors, NGOs, media and police along

with numerous support staffs with you. You reach a village where the calamity is more

monstrous than you had ever thought of as a human. You are moved with the plight and the

stories of ineffectiveness of the Govt. you learnt in texts suddenly appears as true as the

merciless sun above you.

Suddenly a young man comes running to your team and says that his pregnant wife is in labor

and losing blood. You asked a doctor to see it for. This doctor returns and conveys you that thiswoman can be saved only if blood is transfused immediately. Upon enquiry you came to know

that a few blood collection bags (kits) are there in the ambulance accompanying your team.

Meanwhile a few people of the team turned up to volunteer for donation of blood. As a doctor

you know that ethical transfusion of blood is possible but unbanked transfusion of blood is

illegal and warrants criminal charges if pursued.

People meanwhile started pouring in suggestions. Few are for transfusion and few cited it to be

illegal. The doctors are ready to facilitate delivery but they ask an assurance that upon

transfusion they wont be arrested. Unfortunately, there is a senior subordinate from your office

witnessing the event. He is the same guy you had suspended upon charges of unethical acts

within weeks of assuming charge despite his request for leniency and a promise of good conduct

in future. On top of all this is present a media person who has been reporting against you for past

few months as part of a conspiracy against you by a local politician.

You are stuck. Transfusion can be ethical, you know. You were taught service to humanity and

people in the medical school and as well as during IAS training. But saving this dying woman

this way is against law and will result in criminal proceedings against you and the concerned

doctors.

Q. Assuming above hypothesis true, propose your action.


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XXIV. Case Study-24:

After finishing your IAS probationary training, you have come to visit your

85 year old grandmother who stays in a remote backward village. You were received with lot of

fanfare. At home, grandmother, whom you love most is ecstatic and has made all thearrangements to make you feel comfortable.

There is a steady stream of villagers visiting your home to see and talk to you. A childhood

friend of you, who belongs to a Scheduled Caste, much excited, rushes into the room where you

are taking rest. Your friend and villagers belonging to his caste are still observed as

untouchables in the village.

Your grandmother, seeing your friend inside the room sitting next to you, gets very angry and

abuses him. She asks him to get out of the home immediately. She accuses him of polluting thehome and you. She insults him in front of you.

Your grandmother has committed an offence under section 7(1) of the Protection of Civil Rights

Act, 1955. It is also an offence under SC/ST act 1989.

Q.In this situation, what should you be doing?

XXV. Case Study -25 :

Sampath is working in a Software company. His salary is not good. He is a

divorcee and has ailing parents to look after. He is living with them in a small rented house. His

father, whom he respects and loves a lot, is diagnosed with cancer and is on chemotherapy.

Sampaths monthly salary is almost spent for medicine purpose. He also has large debt. His

mother, who was healthy till recently, is also sick most of the times. Sampath is the only son to

his parents. As an obedient and loving son, he is taking care of his parents in spite of large

difficulties he is facing financially.

His hard work was recognized by the company where he worked and now he is offered a high

paying job in USA at the company headquarters. All along it was his dream too. He has to leave

for USA in few days. He convinces his parents that he would send them money as soon as he

reaches there and asks his mother to look after his father. He also promises them that if all goes

well, he would take them to USA to live with him.


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On the day of departure to USA, half an hour before his boarding time, Sampath receives a call

from his mother. Sobbing, she tells him that his fathers health has deteriorated and he is on the

verge of death. She requests him to do something. Sampath is not sure if his father would live or

die even if he is taken to the hospital right away.

If Sampath misses the plane, he may never get an opportunity like this. He has huge debt which

can not be repaid with his meager salary for many more years, and if he goes to USA, he will

earn five times more than his present earnings.

Q.What should Sampath do now? What characters are being tested here? Justify

your answer.

XXVI. Case Study

26:

You are an Indian diplomat send to china to negotiate on border issue.

The diplomat you work with Mr. Xi is a senior diplomat and in a decision taking position.he has

great fondness for Indian culture. And his soft side makes him agree to some Indian demands

which otherwise might not go through that easily.

The pact is to be finalized in the next week but other modalities have to be worked out. On

Saturday Mr Xi invites you for a Chinese dinner at a famous restaurant. On the way back he

insists to drop you at your hotel and on the way his car hits two cyclists, injuring them fatally.

You were aware that he was driving fast and thus lost control.

The police comes to investigate the matter and you are the sole witness to it apart from Mr. Xi

and know it was a grave mistake on part of Mr xi.

Knowing the strict laws of china on road accidents, .your truthful account of incident could

implicate Mr Xi.and that just wont be an end to his career and harsh sentence, but would also

jeopardize the border pact which is of immense importance to India.

Q. What are the dilemmas you face and will be your response to the situation?


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XXVII. Case Study-27:

Arun joined a large private coal based power producing firm as a Graduate

Trainee. After one year of training at different facilities of the company he was finally posted at a

production unit. In the past one year of his service, Arun had availed a loan of INR 3 Lakhs fromthe company to pay off his education loan. He had tough financial background and this benefit so

early in the service won the company a great admiration to Arun.

For past several days Arun has been making an observation at this unit. Late in the nights the

chimney of the unit spills off an unusual black smoke. He noticed it for a few days until upon

some enquiry he found out that the ESPs (device to separate coal ash from the smoke finally

going to chimney) are switched off to save power as they consume a substantial power produced

to run them. Arun knows that this is in violation of the law. ESPs shall mandatorily run in a coal

based power plant of a unit as this. Switching them off in a running plant violates theenvironmental laws. Moreover in the long run this practice shall degrade the atmosphere of this

area. He talks to his manager but the manager asks him to keep off this and explains him that this

company makes huge money saving power by keeping ESPs off for a few hours daily. And he

further cunningly says that no one can see smoke late in the night in this sparsely populated

forest area. A few days later Arun gets a chance to see his unit head. He puts the issue back. The

unit head warns him of dire consequences if he further raises this issue. He also threatens him to

sack. Next morning Arun is served with a show-cause notice against some irregularities in his

work and his identity card has been blocked for an automatic attendance. His presence in the

office was recorded in person by another staff but without his signature.

Arun wants to complain this violation of environment to government authorities but in doing so

he will finally have to lose his job and loan repayment is a burden he cannot bear. If sacked on

corruption charges, he faces a chance of career blockade.

Q. Suggest a path ahead for Arun.

XXVIII.Case Study -28:

Annie has been recently hired full time at a major tech company where she

interned for two summers during her college career. Annie loves her job and has established

many strong relationships with her co-workers over the time she has worked there. The company

encourages the interns and new hires to interact with VPs and upper management in order to

create an open and friendly atmosphere.


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During her time as an intern, Annie began to notice that one of the VPs paid her extra attention.

When he was around he would always make an extra effort to stop by Annies cubicle and chat:

something he did not do with any of the other interns. He reached out to her over social

networking sites and even invited her to a gathering at his house. Some of her co-workers began

to make offhand comments to Annie about the extra attention.

Now that she was in a full time position, Annie began to dread that she would soon have to work

with this VP directly. While he has not done or said anything explicitly inappropriate, the extra

attentionand the fact that her co-workers noticed itmade her very uncomfortable and

undermined her concentration on work. When she was hired, she was told that she should always

speak to her manager if she was uncomfortable or had issues with the work environment. While

at the same time, she is afraid to come across like a tattletale since the VP hasnt explicitlydone

anything wrong.

Q. What course of action should Annie take?

XXIX : Case Study-29:

Every District Collector wants the local newspaper to run positive stories about his

works in his district. Few, thankfully, hide behind a fake name to write only positive articles.

Aman, DM of a famous district, felt the major local paper, was not writing enough positivearticles about him, so he decided to submit his own stories, under a fake name.

The paper encourages citizen journalists to submitstories to get a more local angle. I thought

about all the people just reading about crime in our city and nothing better, said the DM.

Although he was not paid for his articles, he established a relationship with the paper, a

television Web site, and a weekly paperall by using email and phone conversations. Using his

alias, he wrote more than a dozen articles. In some he quoted himself. He did not apologize for

his actions.

However his alias was a real person. DM had used the real photo to convince the publishers.

Now the real person is hurt and enraged. He accuses DM of lying to the public.


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Q Do you think DM should resign?

Should the government take any action, such as a censure?

Is this action serious enough to prompt a recall?

Can thepublic trust an official who has misrepresented himself?

XXX.Case Study30:

A former employee who was fired due to poor quality work, absences, and lateness

related to her drinking problem, informs you that she has applied for a position at another

company and has already given your name as a reference. She desperately needs a job (she is a

single parent with three children), and she asks you to give her a good recommendation and not

mention her drinking, which she assures you is now under control.

She also asks you to say that she voluntarily left the company to address a family medical crisis,

and that the company was pleased with her work. You like this person and believe she is a good

worker when she is not drinking. You doubt that she really has overcome her drinking problem,

however, and you would not recommend your own company hire her back.

Questions:

What do you say to this woman?

What do you say to an employer who calls you for a reference?

What if the prospective employer was a friend?

Suppose the problem was a theft?

Suppose she had asked you to be a reference prior to supplying your name

to her prospective employer?

What values are at stake? Do some of the values conflict with one another?

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