GS4 · 20 marks · 250 words

Arushi is a young IPS officer known for her competence, integrity, and relentless dedication to challenging tasks. Recognizing her excellent track record, her superiors have chosen her to handle a sensitive assignment in a tribal-dominated district notorious for illegal bauxite mining. Here, the mafia mines bauxite from mineral-rich lands, transports it by truck, and sells it on the black market. This illegal operation thrives with the support of certain local officials and tribal musclemen who intimidate the local population and bribe select poor tribals to maintain control and silence. Upon assuming the new role, Arushi quickly grasps the ground realities and identifies the mafia's modus operandi, characterized by a series of devious tactics. Her inquiries reveal that several employees in her office are colluding with the mafia, forming an unholy nexus that enables these illegal operations. Determined to dismantle this network, she initiates strict actions, including raids on trucks transporting illegally mined bauxite. These actions significantly disrupt the mafia's operations, unsettling criminals unaccustomed to such resistance. Some office employees allegedly allied with the mafia inform the criminals of her determination to dismantle their operations, posing a serious threat to their profits. In response, the mafia adopts a counter-offensive strategy. Tribal strongmen and mafia operatives begin issuing direct threats to her, warning of severe consequences if the raids continue. Her family (husband and elderly mother) are stalked and placed under virtual surveillance, causing mental anguish and stress for them all. Matters assume serious propositions when a muscleman appears in her office and threatens that if she does not halt raids, etc., she will suffer the same fate as a predecessor officer who was killed by the mafia a decade earlier. a) Discuss the ethical issues involved in this case. b) Identify and evaluate the different options available to Arushi under the given situation. c) Which option would she adopt and why?

Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2025

Syllabus: Case Studies on above issues.

How toppers approached it

From all 3 answers · about 310 words · 67% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • No separate opening3 of 3

Body

  • Points and prose3 of 3

Close

  • No separate close2 of 3
  • A summary1 of 3

The toppers’ answers

AsthaAIR 9 · CSE 2025 · 223 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

This case study presents the current persistent challenge of illegal mining, specially in mineral rich areas of tribal belts, often exhibiting unholy nexus of officers & miners.

Body · points and prose

Diagram
* Stakeholders * Environment * a) Poor tribals * b) Civil Administn * c) Corrupt officials * d) Arushi as head * Illegal miners

a) Ethical issues

Diagram
* Miners * a) challenging Rule of law and state's sovereignty * b) Threatening officer → against BNS clauses * c) killing honest officers → against 'Dharma' principle * d) Illegal mining → compromise tribal rights

→ a) Facing ethical dilemma of Arushi protecting family v/s performing duty → b) Risk to life v/s fortitude to challenge nexus → c) Threat recieved from miners v/s courage to stand.

→ a) corrupt officers → against Others probity of civil services → b) collusive corruption

b) Options available

  1. Protect her family & herself, ease on her actions against miners Right to life Saving family ↑ ↗ Learning from past from ↖ → Safety > Duty trauma
Diagram
- Merits - compromised duty - weak character - Denerits - ethics - Slippery slope - Against fiduciary duty
  1. Continue her crackdown on mafia nexus and ensure police deployment around family
Diagram
- Duty ethics upheld - Right example - long term benefit to state - Protecting tribal rights - Merits - Demerits - Family at risk - Compromising safety

c) She should uphold the IInd option of continuing her crackdown undettered by threats as she → (1) must uphold 'fortitude' of character → having courage to stand against evil as per gandhi (2) Role modelling → serve as an example of honest & determinat officer (3) Rule of laws → her responsibility as an IPS officer to maintain law.

(4) Integrity & dedication towards her duty by compromising personal interest for bigger benefit

(5) voice of conscience

Diagram
- Voice of conscience - Heard → Goodnight sleep - Not heard → Cognitive dissonance

(6) Utilitarian Maxim

Close

"Greatest happiness of greatest number."

Arushi must be guided by 'yogakshem' principle to upheld citizen welfare and ensure 'Daridra Nyaya'.

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