Case Study – 1 : District Collector's Responsibility To

Conduct Fair Elections

You are a District Collector of a city which is scheduled to go to polls in a week. The
responsibility to conduct fair elections has been given to you. However, suddenly your
mother suffers a heart attack and has to be admitted to a hospital in your home district,
which is at a distance of 250 kms from the district of your posting. Doctor informs you that
she needs to be shifted in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and her chances of survival are bleak.
You are the only child and want to be with her and your family at this moment. Your plea
for an emergency leave has been rejected by the Election Commission. What would you do
under such circumstances?

Case Study - 2: Media ethics vs Public Safety

You are a struggling reporter of a news channel and have been under severe pressure from
your Editor-in-Chief to bring some sensational news to boost Television Rating Points
(TRPs).

You have interviewed a famous religious leader of a minority faction on the recent
Ayodhya verdict of Supreme Court. In the interview, the religious leader used a
provocative statement and urged the members of the community to rebel against the court
ruling. If the interview is aired, it might spark communal tensions and law and order
problem in society. You are very well aware that if the interview is presented to the Editor-
in-Chief, he will definitely air it to boost TRPs. The interview may lead to the exponential
growth of your career.  

In such circumstances, would it be right to present the interview to Editor-in-Chief?  

(a) Identify the moral dilemma faced by you. 

(b) Analyse your role and duties as a responsible reporter, also suggest your course of
action.
Case Study - 3: Privatization of public services vs Welfare of
workers
The Government has planned the strategic disinvestment of State Road Transportation
Corporation in a phased manner by allowing some private companies to ferry buses on
marked routes. The outraged workers have called for a strike against the move. You are
the head of the workers union of the transport corporation. In a meeting with State
officials, they have informed you about the circumstances of inefficiency, corruption and
deteriorating quality of service to commuters. You have also presented the worker’s
viewpoint and their complaints of low payscale and non-payment of salaries from the past
few months. A deadlock has occurred between the two parties where no-side is willing to
lose. To break the deadlock, the officials offer you a bribe and other perks to comply with
the decision of privatisation in a phased manner. State transport services are in a state of
peril and there is a huge outcry among the common masses.

(a) Identify the moral dilemma faced by you.

(b) Analyse your role and duties, also suggest your course of action.

Case Study - 4: National Security and Honey Trapping

You are a senior officer at an intelligence agency working for the internal security of the
nation. You find out that a junior officer has been a victim of honey trapping through
social media. In all of this, his phone was hacked and confidential files were leaked. 

The entire department has come together and wants you to take strict action against that
officer for his behavior. That junior officer is highly skilled and a valuable asset for the
organisation. He is also very close to you as you have mentored him throughout and he also
respects you a lot. Moreover, any action against him might attract media attention and
bring a bad repute to the organisation at large.

(A) What are the ethical issues involved and the options available to you in such a
situation? 

(B) Also, suggest a course of action you would like to follow.

Case Study - 5: Personal relations vs Ethical values
Pawan is pursuing MBA and shares a room with you in the private hostel. He desperately
needs a job after completing his course because of educational loan and weak economic
background. In his last two semesters, he couldn’t secure good grades due to serious illness.
In current semester he has to secure good marks at any cost to satisfy minimum criteria for
placements.

Few days before the final semester exam, he comes to you and asks for money. He is
stressed and nervous. He tells you about his plan to purchase semester papers to clear the
exam and convinces you for the same by giving reference to his bad health, family status
and his education loan.

In such circumstances, would it be right to lend money to him?

(a) Identify the moral dilemma faced by you.

(b) Analyse your role and duties as a friend, also suggest your course of action.

Case Study - 6: Development vs Environmental and Human

Rights
You are the Managing Director of Metro Rail Corporation (MRC) of a metropolitan city
and you have received orders and funding for construction of the metro track and a
parking space in a densely forested area of the city with houses of few underprivileged
families as well in it.

For the construction, the forest has to be cleared and the families have to be moved to some
other place. The locals have started a protest after knowing about the order. They are
highly raged about cutting down thousands of trees and the affected families have also
joined them because the forest holds emotional value for them.

On the other hand, the minister who directly controls the MRC is pressuring you to start
the felling process as soon as possible. You know that going against his orders will have
serious repercussions.

(a) What are the ethical issues involved and the options available to you in such a situation?

(b) Also, suggest a course of action you would like to follow. (250 words)
Case Study - 7: Mob Lynching
You are posted as an additional superintendent of police in a district. The incidents of
lynching over the rumours of child lifting have increased in the state in past few months. 

Recently, one such incident took place at the Government hospital, where two brothers
who had taken their nephew to a doctor for treatment were misjudged and attacked by the
mob over suspicion of child lifting.

The police rushed to the spot after receiving the information and rescued the brothers.
However, one of them was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. The deceased person
was as a young leader and potential candidate for the upcoming Panchayat elections.

The locals from the nearby village along with the relatives of the deceased person are
protesting and accusing police of negligence. They are claiming the incident as a planned
political murder and demanding for arrest of the rival candidate who has strong political
backing.

(a) Identify the stakeholders and various dimensions of the crisis involved in the issue. 

(b) What would be the course of action taken by you to manage the situation as an
additional superintendent of police? Suggest the measures to deal with the incident
lynching. (200 words)

Case Study - 8: Rule of Law vs Social Norms

You are the Superintendent of Police (SP) in the district where instances of honour killing
are rampant. One day you receive a phone call from a girl informing you of the potential
threat to her and her partners’ life from her family as she has decided to marry a boy
belonging to a lower caste. Moreover, the local police station is not filing the FIR or
granting them protection. You ask her to visit your office but she demands police
protection to come out from the hideout as her father’s goons are chasing her.

On further inquiry, you come to know that the girl is the daughter of one of the most
powerful Minister of the State and both girl and boy are legally eligible to get married. The
family is concerned about the family prestige due to the lower caste of the boy and also of
the financial stability of marriage as they both are unemployed. You are under extreme
political pressure to charge the boy of kidnapping the girl or else face the consequences.

In such circumstances, point out the ethical dilemma faced by you and options available to
you. Also, chalk out the course of action you would prefer to follow. (250 words)
Case Study - 9: Corruption nexus versus Call of duty
You are District Magistrate of a flood-prone district. The flood control department has
allocated forty crore rupees for building embankments in the low lying area of the river
bed. There have been various complaints from locals over the delay in project completion,
violations of rules and misuse of funds by the nexus of politicians and contractors.

During monsoon, the embankment construction couldn’t withstand a single season of

flooding. This has led to the submergence of many villages in floodwater and thousands of
people are trapped in the villages. The villages are completely cut off and there is a scarcity
of food and drinking water. Due to water stagnation, there is also a risk of epidemic spread
in the region.

There is huge discontent and protest over the allegation of corruption against the local
politician. As he is a popular face of ruling political party in the state, there is severe
pressure from political heads to cover the corruption issue. Defying the orders of political
bosses will bring wrath towards you and may also lead to transfer.

1. As a District Magistrate what will be your course of action to manage the situation
in the district. (200 words)
2. Identify the various dimensions of the crisis involved in the issue. Based on your
understanding, suggest measures to deal with the crisis. (200 Words)

Case Study - 10: Personal relation v/s Public duty

You are a Municipal Corporation Commissioner of your city which is under heavy rainfall
over the last few days. The boundary wall of one of the housing society collapses. The
incident took place at midnight, leading to the death of 12 workers, including two children,
sleeping in the shade beside the wall. 

On the preliminary inquiry, it has been found that inspite of inappropriate soil conditions,
the permission to construct wall was given by previous Municipal Commissioner, who
happens to be your close friend. Also, irregularities in construction material have been
found and the other officials in the department are trying to influence or manipulate you.
The whole scenario seems like a nexus between the officials of the municipal department
and builder. However, the builder is a close relative of one of the most powerful leaders of
the party in power and is trying to threaten you. 

(A) What are the ethical issues involved and the options available to you in such a
situation? 

(B) Also, suggest a course of action you would like to follow.

Case Study - 11: Duty versus Morality
You are posted as an SDM in a division of district which is undergoing ethnic turbulence
since sometime. There has been a substantial loss of lives and property due to the
disturbance, following which you are given implicit orders by the ruling party of the area
to move a certain section of population, belonging to a particular ethnic group, out of the
area to control the situation. This order has put you in a difficult position as it goes against
your own ethical values of targeting a section of population and moving them out of their
homes. However, not following the orders will be taken as dereliction of duty and will put
the onus on you for the loss of lives.

A. In this situation, what are the options available to you?

B. In your opinion, what can be the most appropriate course of action and why? (250
words)

Case Study -12 : Pilgrimage Centre versus Women Right

You are a senior forest official who has recently been posted in a forest range which has a
wildlife sanctuary and pilgrimage center of local hill tribes. The sanctuary is a famous
trekking site, but is open only for males as the local tribal culture doesn’t permit the entry
of women to the hill site housing their deity.
Recently, the State High Court has lifted this unofficial ban on women following which
there has been pressure from women's’ group to open the trekking site for all, while the
local tribal group opposes the same. You fear that opening the site might lead to protest
from tribals, compromising law and order situation and endanger the safety of trekkers to
the site.

1. What are the options open to you in this scenario? Discuss along with their merits and
demerits?
2. Which would be the most appropriate action that you would take in this situation and
why?
Case Study — 13: A #MeToo case study
You are the director of a department that has recently been engulfed in the #MeToo
campaign when two of the deputy directors working under you have been publicly named
as sexual predators by two women in the department. As directed by the Sexual
Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013,
you are to initiate a committee of inquiry and submit the report within 90 days.

Before initiating the committee you are faced with two narratives, first, that this is not the
first time both women have come forward with similar accusations; second, that you have
known both the deputy directors and their families for quite sometime now, and you have
noticed nothing in their behaviour that says they could have been the sexual predators as
alleged.

Now, while the women want that you begin the inquiry process at the earliest, the deputy
directors deny all charges and say that they want to pursue defamation cases against their
main accusers. In all this, public pressure is against you, with the media discussing the case
on a regular basis.

1. As a director of a department what will be your course of action for starting an official
investigation? State the merits and demerits of whatever course of action you decide to
follow.
2. Do you also agree that the sexual nature of a crime makes the crime ethically different
and difficult (to handle) from other crimes? Give valid reasons to support your views.
Case Study — 14: Violence against migrant workers
You are posted as the district magistrate for a remote district in a state that shares its
boundaries with a neighbouring country. The district you are in has no recent history of
mob violence or mass violent protests. In the last decade, some textile mills were set up in
the district which saw a surge of migrant workers coming in for jobs. Without these
migrant workers it will be very difficult to run these textile mills. These workers also send
home money to their families and without this work they will suffer as well.

Recently, some miscreants belonging to the migrant worker community were arrested for
the rape and murder of a small child. Following which there was a violent backlash against
the community. Local political leadership is also taking advantage of the situation to
portray the incident as a communal matter rather than a criminal one. Miscreants are also
using social media to spread hatred and issue warnings against the migrant worker
community. The migrant workers have therefore, started fleeing their homes, leaving their
jobs and belongings behind, afraid for their lives.

1. Given that you are responsible for the safety of the migrant workers as well as the local
populace, what solutions will you provide to reduce enmity between the two said
communities?
2. In what ways can you help the fleeing workers and make them feel safe enough to stay
back?
3. Suggest measures to stop the spread of hatred on social media, and also to stop politicians
from using this issue to further their careers.
4. All over the country, there are similar situations where a criminal act by a few miscreants
from a particular community gets painted as a communal act blaming the entire
community - triggering the exodus of ‘outsiders’ from that region or state. We have seen
this repeatedly in cases of North Eastern states, Maharashtra and recently, Gujarat. What
can be done to stop this challenge to national integration? Suggest remedial measures
backed up by moral-ethical principles to justify your answer.
Case Study — 15 : Selection Committee's Dilemma in Sports
Q. You have recently become part of the selection committee of three people, which oversees the
final selection of the players for a team at the state level. The sponsorship of the tournament as
well as of your team is largely dependent on a business house as the game played by your team
has not been a very popular one and doles from the government and support from very few
reluctant private business groups has kept the things going. Now, in the meeting of the selection
committee, you realize that many of the players who have performed well in the local circuits are
missing from the list of players selected for the nationals. Also, few players in the tentative
playing list seem to be there only on account of the backing of some senior executives of that
business house which is the main sponsor of the team as well as of the tournament to be held.

You are told by your colleagues that this is the accepted practice and any resistance to it will risk
the very possibility of participation of the team in the tournament as the business house can delay
necessary funds or even withdraw its sponsorship. This will ruin the chances of the team
members – most of whom are there on the basis of their merit, to stake claim for selection in the
national team. There is not enough time to manage funds from alternative sources or look for
new sponsors.

What would you do under these circumstances:

a. You will allow the status-quo keeping in mind the larger interests of your team and
practicality of the situation.
b. You will take a vocal stand against the malpractice in spite of the risk of jeopardizing the
participation of your team in the present tournament.
c. Any other course of action.

Discuss the merits and demerits of each of the options available before you and rationalize your
course of action in such a scenario.
Case Study – 16 : Ebola Outbreak and Experimental Drugs
The Ebola outbreak in Nigeria has affected thousands of people in a short span of time and
infected many others. There is no vaccine or treatment available to cure the disease. You
are the head of the health department of one of the countries that have been severely hit by
the epidemic. While there is no treatment currently available for the disease, an
experimental drug is being used in some other country. This drug has shown positive
results and consequently some of the patients have also managed to recover from the
disease. However, it is not yet clear whether the relief came due to the drug alone, or
otherwise.

Given the high mortality rate of the disease and its rapid spread, other countries affected
by this disease have already given a go-ahead for the mass production of this experimental
drug. But some health experts are sceptical about the efficacy of the drug and have even
warned against its use as it may result in some deadly side-effects.

a. Bring out and discuss the above case.

b. What would you do in the above situation? Give reasons.

Case Study – 17 : Ethnic Conflict and Refugee Settlement

 11 Sep 2018
 5 min read

You are the officer in charge of a refugee settlement team in a multilateral humanitarian
organization. There is an ethnic conflict in the nearby border area and as a result, many
people are affected and displaced. The economically better-off neighbouring countries have
accommodated the streams of migrants with financial support from your organization. The
violence in the region has increased recently and the influx of people seeking refuge has
grown exponentially. With countries following protectionist policies the refugees are left in
a vulnerable situation. You are asked to represent the organization for the settlement of
refugees with neighbouring countries, who also happen to be a powerful economic bloc.
However, they refuse any more accommodation on the following grounds:

a. Drainage of resources in face of subdued economic conditions.

b. Domestic political repercussions.
c. Rehabilitation will encourage more influx.
d. Permanency of settlement in face of better prospects than at home.

What are the counter-arguments that can be cited to convince the countries for an
immediate solution? Suggest some long term measures as well that could be followed to
address the problem.
Case Study – 18 : Right to be Forgotten
Ramesh, once a struggling theatre artist was accused and later freed from rape charges,
which the jury found out to be ill conceived and wrongly targeted. Not able to handle the
situation, he changed profession and moved on. Many years later, while his closest friends
know about the incident, his co-workers do not. One day, out of curiosity, he surfs his
personal records on the internet, and to his surprise, finds that the results reflect an old
report in a local newspaper about the rape charges he faced.

Ramesh is upset; after all these years, he would like to be able to disclose the event only to
whomever he wants. He has been informed about the decision of the European Court of
Justice, which allows individuals to submit requests to a search engine to remove certain
results from searches on their names, and citing the same, requests the search engine and
media outlet to remove the results.

Valid arguments can be advanced for making the ‘Right to be Forgotten’ a fundamental
right? What those arguments could be? What limitations, if any, can it be subjected to?
Should there be any obligations on the search engines regarding cases, which are no longer
relevant, as the one mentioned above?

Case Study – 19 : Environmental Impact Assessment of a

Project in Naxal Area
You are leading a survey team that has been assigned to carry out environmental impact
assessment of a project proposed in a Naxal area. Members have been allotted a remote
village each to conduct surveys and ascertain the response of residents. You are responsible
not to disclose the identity of the villagers. During the review of survey findings you find
some responses that are contradictory. You accompany the concerned surveyor to that
village next day for verification. You carry ground check from the list of respondents and
ask them for clarification of the response they had given earlier. Some of them seem
awestruck and even deny any knowledge of the survey being conducted, you try to verify
this from other residents of the village who were also surveyed and get similar replies. This
raises serious doubts about the veracity of the survey process.

a. What are the ethical issues involved in the situation?

b. As a team leader accountable for the credibility of the survey and working on a
hard time frame, what are the possible options before you? List their merits and
demerits.
c. Giving reasons, state the course of action you would follow.
Case Study – 20 : HIV Positive Employee
You are a government official. One day you find out that your subordinate is infected with
HIV. Before you could stop the news from spreading, it had already become a topic of
discussion among other members of the office. Now, they are pressuring you to suspend,
sack or transfer him as they fear that his presence in the office might lead to other
members getting contaminated with the virus. You try to make them understand that HIV
does not spread from touching, but they are so skeptic and scared that they refuse to even
listen to your reasoning. They all decide to not work till the HIV positive employee. Your
office is already under a lot of work pressure and in the next week you are to finish some
work within a deadline. How will you tackle this problem? Elaborate the steps that you will
take to handle it.

Case Study – 21 : United Nation Convention Against

Corruption (a case of bribes)
You are the senior manager in Indian Oil refinery. The Indian government has sent you to
another country to apply for a tender for a big project. After arriving there you find out
that the officials of that particular country do not pass a project without taking a bribe.
You also get to know that the probability of other competing countries paying the bribe is
quite high.

India is a signatory to the United Nation Convention against Corruption. What suggestion
can you give to the Indian government in this situation, especially when you know how
important this particular project is for the country?
Case Study – 22 : Encounter Killings
A seasoned criminal with many murder charges on him has escaped from a jail. There is a
likelihood that he will kill more people while he is on the run.

Mr. A who is the police inspector in the area has found links to trace the criminal’s
presence in his area. Mr. A has a reputation of a being an encounter specialist since he
doesn’t believe much in the efficacy of judicial trials as they are time consuming. It is likely
that Mr. A will do the same this time. His subordinates, though, disapprove of encounter
killings as a routine measure, dare not oppose him due to hierarchical pressure. A
constable Mr. C doesn’t want to participate in the encounter operation, but due to the fear
of being terminated he is left with no choices.

Given the above situation, consider the following questions:

1. What are the moral issues involved in this situation?

2. Though encounter killing is legally valid is it morally correct too? If yes, how?
3. How is Mr. C participating in the encounter morally valid?