You are a municipal commissioner of a large city, having the reputation of a very honest and upright officer. A huge multipurpose mall is under construction in your city in which a large number of daily wage earners are employed. One night, during monsoons, a big chunk of the roof collapsed causing instant death of four labourers including two minors. Many more were seriously injured requiring immediate medical attention. The mishap resulted in a big hue and cry, forcing the government to institute an enquiry. Your preliminary enquiry has revealed a series of anomalies. The material used for the construction was of poor quality. Despite the approved building plans permitting only one basement, an additional basement has been constructed. This was overlooked during the periodic inspections by the building inspector of. The municipal corporation. In your enquiry, you noticed that the construction of the mall was given the green signal despite encroaching on areas earmarked for a green belt and a slip road in the Zonal Master Plan of the city. The permission to construct the mall was accorded by the previous Municipal Commissioner who is not only your senior and well known to you professionally, but also a good friend. Prima facie, the case appears to be of a widespread nexus between officials of the Municipal Corporation and the builders. Your colleagues are putting pressure on you to go slow in the enquiry. The builder, who is rich and influential, happens to be a close relative of a powerful minister in the state cabinet. The builder is persuading you to hush up the matter, promising you a fortune to do so. He also hinted that this matter is not resolved at the earliest in his favour there is somebody in his office who is waiting to file a case against you under the POSH Act. Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case. What are the options available to you in this situation? Explain your selected course of action. (20 marks) (250 words)

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In this issue, I’m caught between my allegiance to my senior friend, the previous Municipal Commissioner, and my duty to investigate the case. The conflict between my own interests and my public duty is the source of my second ethical dilemma. If I proceed slowly, I may reap personal gains, whereas carrying out my responsibilities honestly may land me in personal difficulties.

The following are the various options available in this case:

1: Take it slow and keep it quiet about the situation.

If the investigation proceeds slowly, the accident will quickly vanish from public memory. It can then be closed without bringing any officers or builders into disrepute. This will gratify the Municipal Corporation officers as well as the builder. I may also receive a monetary reward for assisting them.

2: Take a leave of absence or seek a transfer.

I can request a transfer from the charge or go on leave for personal or medical reasons. This will save me the hassle of having to engage in illicit activity.

3: Make a thorough investigation

I need to undertake a thorough investigation into the issue and bring all of the department’s and the builder’s perpetrators to justice.

The third option is the best alternative in this circumstance. This action is consistent with the tasks and obligations that have been allocated to me as a Municipal Commissioner. The unfortunate individuals who lost their lives will be compensated, and future tragedies of this nature can be avoided. I’ll proceed with caution in order to avoid anyone bringing a POSH case against me. If such a claim is made, I will face an investigation and expose the plot to defame me.

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