Q. You serve as the Municipal Commissioner of a large city, known for your integrity and honesty. A vast multipurpose mall is being built in your city, employing numerous daily wage workers. One night, during the monsoon season, a substantial section of the roof caved in, resulting in the immediate deaths of four laborers, including two minors. Many others sustained serious injuries and required urgent medical care. The incident led to significant public outcry, prompting the Government to launch an investigation. Your initial assessment has uncovered multiple irregularities. The materials utilized for construction were of substandard quality. Despite the building plans, only allowing for one basement, an additional basement has been constructed. This was ignored during routine inspections by the municipal corporation’s building inspector. In your investigation, you discovered that the mall’s construction was approved even though it encroached on designated green belt areas and a slip road outlined in the city’s Zonal Master Plan. The previous Municipal Commissioner, who is both your senior and a close friend, granted permission for the mall’s construction. It strongly appears that there is a widespread collusion between municipal officials and the builders. Your colleagues are urging you to slow down the investigation. The builder, who is wealthy and influential, happens to be a close relative of a powerful State Cabinet Minister. He is attempting to convince you to bury the issue, offering you a considerable amount of money in return. He also hinted that if this matter is not settled quickly in his favor, someone in his office is ready to file complaints against you for sexual assault. Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case. What are the options and alternatives available to you in this situation? Explain your selected course of necessary action.
Ans: The situation presents a complex mix of ethical dilemmas related to integrity, accountability, abuse of power, and conflict of interest. As the Municipal Commissioner, I am duty-bound to uphold public trust and constitutional values, even under immense pressure.
Ethical Issues Involved
- Negligence and dereliction of duty by municipal officials, leading to avoidable deaths.
- Corruption and collusion between government personnel and private builders.
- Violation of public safety norms, building regulations, and environmental guidelines.
- Conflict of interest, as the former Commissioner is both a senior and personal friend.
- Attempted bribery and intimidation, including threats of false allegations to obstruct justice.
- Moral obligation towards the victims and their families, who deserve justice and accountability.
Options and Alternatives
- Bury the investigation under pressure and compromise public interest.
- Slow down the inquiry to protect internal stakeholders and avoid confrontation.
- Proceed with impartial investigation, uphold legality, and report findings transparently.
- Seek legal protection and institutional support if retaliatory actions are threatened.
Selected Course of Action
I would choose to lead an honest and transparent investigation, guided by my professional ethics and public responsibility:
- Submit a detailed report to higher authorities and request a judicial probe.
- Ensure safety audits and rehabilitation of injured workers.
- Recommend disciplinary action against negligent officials.
- Use legal channels to address any false complaints or retaliatory threats.
- Engage with civil society and media, to build public confidence.
In conclusion, upholding integrity—even in adversity—is critical for sustaining democratic governance and ethical public service.
Read: OPSC Notes