The Supreme Court has banned mining in the Aravalli Hills to stop degradation of the forest cover and to maintain ecological balance. However, the stone mining was still prevalent in the border district of the affected State with connivance of certain corrupt forest officials and politicians. Young and dynamic SP who was recently posted in the affected district promised to himself to stop this menace. In one of his surprise checks with his team, he found loaded truck with stone trying to escape the mining area. He tried to stop the truck but the truck driver overrun the police officer, killing him on the spot and thereafter managed to flee. Police filed FIR but no breakthrough was achieved in the case for almost three months. Ashok who was the Investigative Journalist working with leading TV channel, suo moto started investigating the case. Within one month, Ashok got breakthrough by interacting with local people, stone mining mafia and government officials. He prepared his investigative story and presented to the CMD of the TV channel. He exposed in his investigative report the complete nexus of stone mafia working with blessing of corrupt police and civil officials and politicians. The politician who was involved in the mafia was no one else but local MLA who was considered to be very close to the Chief Minister. After going through the investigative report, the CMD advised Ashok to drop the idea of making the story public through electronic media. He informed that the local MLA was not only the relative of the owner of the TV channel but also had unofficially 20 percent share in the channel. The CMD further informed Ashok that his further promotion and hike in pay will be taken care of in addition the soft loan of 10 lakhs which he has taken from the TV channel for his son’s chronic disease will be suitably adjusted if he hands over the investigative report to him.

a. What are the options available with Ashok to cope up with the situation?

b. Critically evaluate/examine each of the options identified by Ashok.

c. What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Ashok?

d. Which of the options, do you think, would be the most appropriate for Ashok to adopt and why?

e. In the above scenario, what type of training would you suggest for police officers posted to such districts where stone mining illegal activities are rampant? (250 words) [UPSC 2022]

Roadmap for Answer Writing

1. Introduction: Contextual Overview

• Introduce the Case: Outline the Supreme Court’s ban on mining in the Aravalli Hills and the subsequent illegal activities in the border district.
• Highlight Key Players: Mention the young SP, Ashok the investigative journalist, and the corrupt officials and politicians involved.
• Thesis Statement: State that Ashok faces critical decisions regarding his investigative report and the ethical implications of those decisions.

2. Body: Analysis of Options Available to Ashok

• A. Options Available
  1. Publish the Investigative Story: Ashok can choose to go public with his findings, exposing the corruption.
  2. Stay Silent and Comply: He may opt to hand over the report to the CMD and suppress the story for personal benefits.
  3. Seek External Support: Reach out to other media outlets or regulatory authorities to ensure the story is disclosed.

3. Critical Evaluation of Each Option

• B. Evaluation of Each Option
  1. Publish the Investigative Story:
     • Pros: Upholds journalistic integrity, promotes accountability, and serves public interest.
     • Cons: Risks personal repercussions, including job loss and legal challenges.
  2. Stay Silent and Comply:
     • Pros: Immediate personal benefits, job security, and financial relief.
     • Cons: Compromises ethics, allows corruption to continue, and undermines public trust.
  3. Seek External Support:
     • Pros: Involves independent authorities, potentially leading to justice.
     • Cons: May prolong the process and expose Ashok to risks.

4. Ethical Dilemmas Faced by Ashok

• C. Ethical Dilemmas
  1. Upholding Journalistic Integrity: Choosing between exposing the truth or compromising his values for personal gain.
  2. Balancing Personal Interests and Public Interest: Weighing the CMD’s offers against his ethical duty to inform the public.

5. Most Appropriate Option for Ashok

• D. Recommended Option
  • The most appropriate course of action is to publish the investigative story. This choice aligns with ethical journalism, promotes transparency, and serves the public interest despite potential risks.

6. Training for Police Officers in Affected Districts

• E. Suggested Training
  1. Knowledge of Laws and Regulations: Training on laws governing illegal mining and environmental protection.
  2. Investigation Techniques: Effective methods for gathering evidence and intelligence.
  3. Ethical Conduct and Integrity: Emphasizing resistance to corruption and maintaining ethical standards.
  4. Collaboration and Coordination: Encouraging partnership with other authorities to combat illegal activities.
  5. Awareness and Sensitization: Understanding the environmental impacts of illegal mining and the need for enforcement of regulations.

7. Conclusion

• Recap Key Points: Summarize Ashok’s options, the recommended choice, ethical dilemmas, and the importance of training for police.
• Final Thought: Emphasize the role of ethical journalism and law enforcement in combating corruption and protecting environmental integrity.