Sunil is a young civil servant and has a reputation for his competence, integrity, dedication and relentness pursuit of difficult and onerous jobs. Considering his profile, he was picked up by his bosses to handle a very challenging and sensitive assignment. He was posted in a tribal dominated district notorious for illegal sand mining. Excavating sand from river belt and transporting through trucks and selling them in black market was rampant. This illegal sand mining mafia was operating with the support of local functionaries and tribal musclemen who in turn were bribing selected poor tribals and had kept the tribals under fear and intimidation. Sunil being a sharp and energetic officer immediately grasped the ground realities and the modus operandi followed by the mafia through their devious and dubious mechanism. On making inquiries, he gathered that some of their own office employees are in hand and glove with them and have developed close unholy nexus. Sunil initiated stringent action against them and started conducting raids on their illegal operations of movement of trucks filled with sand. The mafia got rattled as not many officers in the past had taken such strong steps against the mafia. Some of the office employees who were allegedly close to mafia informed them that the officer is determined to clean up the mafia’s illegal sand mining operations in that district and may cause them irrepairable damage. The mafia turned hostile and launched counter-offensive. The tribal musclemen and mafia started threatening him with dire consequences. His family (wife and old mother) were stalked and were under virtual surveillance and thus causing mental torture, agony and stress to all of them. The matter assumed serious proportions when a muscleman came to his office and threatened him to stop raids, etc., otherwise, his fate will not be different than some of his predecessors (ten years back one officer was killed by the mafia).
(i)Identify the different options available to Sunil in attending to this situation.
(ii)Critically evaluate each of the options listed by you.
(iii)Which of the above, do you think, would be the most appropriate for Sunil to adopt and why? (250 words) [UPSC 2021]
Options Available to Sunil
1. Continue with Current Actions
Sunil can persist with his current approach of conducting raids and taking stringent action against the mafia. This involves maintaining his focus on eradicating the illegal sand mining operations despite the threats.
2. Seek Protection and Support
Sunil can request additional security for himself and his family from law enforcement agencies. He can also involve higher authorities and the state government to ensure his safety and the effectiveness of his actions.
3. Document and Report Threats
Sunil can meticulously document all threats and intimidation faced, including the surveillance of his family. This evidence can be used to seek intervention from higher authorities, media, or judicial bodies.
4. Collaborate with Other Agencies
Sunil can collaborate with other government agencies, NGOs, and civil society organizations to build a broader coalition against the illegal sand mining operations. This could also include leveraging local tribal leaders who are against the mafia.
5. Request a Transfer
In response to the escalating threats, Sunil can consider requesting a transfer to a less dangerous posting, thereby prioritizing his personal safety and that of his family.
Critical Evaluation
1. Continue with Current Actions
While this option aligns with Sunil’s principles of integrity and commitment, it poses severe risks to his personal safety and that of his family. Long-term effectiveness is questionable if the threats escalate.
2. Seek Protection and Support
Requesting protection can mitigate immediate risks and ensure his safety while allowing him to continue his work. This approach, however, may require substantial bureaucratic efforts and may not be entirely foolproof.
3. Document and Report Threats
Documenting and reporting threats can create a record of the harassment and could lead to increased security measures and support from higher authorities. This approach also raises awareness and pressures the system to act.
4. Collaborate with Other Agencies
Forming alliances can enhance the effectiveness of his efforts and provide additional resources and support. It also distributes risk but may slow down the immediate impact of his actions.
5. Request a Transfer
While this option prioritizes personal safety, it may be perceived as a failure to address the core issue. It could undermine his reputation and the fight against illegal activities.
Most Appropriate Option
Seek Protection and Support would be the most appropriate course of action for Sunil. This option allows him to continue his work with enhanced safety measures and institutional backing. By securing protection, he ensures his and his family’s safety while maintaining his efforts against the illegal sand mining operations. Additionally, collaborating with other agencies and documenting threats can complement this approach, providing a multi-faceted strategy to address the issue effectively.
Model Answer
Introduction
In this case study, Sunil, a dedicated young civil servant, faces significant challenges while combating illegal sand mining in a tribal-dominated district. The nexus between the mafia, local functionaries, and tribal musclemen not only complicates his mission but also endangers his family’s safety. As he conducts raids against this entrenched operation, he encounters threats and intimidation, necessitating a careful evaluation of his options.
Stakeholders
Key stakeholders in this scenario include Sunil, the illegal sand mining mafia, local functionaries, tribal musclemen, and Sunil’s family. Each plays a crucial role in the dynamics of power and accountability in the district.
Options Available to Sunil
1. Continuing His Efforts
2. Seeking External Support
3. Relocating or Requesting a Transfer
Most Appropriate Option
The most appropriate option for Sunil would be to seek external support while continuing his efforts. By engaging higher authorities and anti-corruption agencies, he can obtain necessary protection and resources, thus enhancing his capacity to tackle the illegal sand mining operations without compromising his safety or that of his family. This strategy allows him to maintain his commitment to integrity and justice while mitigating risks, ensuring that his fight against corruption is not undermined by fear or intimidation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sunil’s situation exemplifies the complexities facing civil servants in challenging environments. By seeking external support, he can effectively counter the illegal sand mining mafia while ensuring the safety of his loved ones, thus reinforcing his role as a capable and ethical public servant.