InsightsIAS Ethics 70 Days Plan
Day 17
Case Study 1
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. 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 the project.
In this situation:
1) What should Rajendra ideally do?
2) What would be the legal and ethical consequences of Rajendra’s continued silence?
3) What are the qualities that are tested in this case study? Examine.
Case Study 1
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 the arrangements 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 the home 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.
In this situation, what should you be doing?
