Q.) Once the fight broke out between the two friends Rahul and Rashid in the district where you have been
posted as SHO. Suddenly the fight took a communal turn. Various violent elements were involved in a fight and it got
media coverage also. However, the families of Rahul and Rashid have very good relations and they want to solve
the issue mutually. But as it took the communal turn, the situation became very sensitive and the involvement of
local political parties makes it worst.
In this both, the families come to you and requested not to file a case as it might damage the career of
Rahul and Rashid. On the other hand, one of your superior, who is close to the MLA of that district, want you
to file FIR against Rashid only.
a) Analyze the ethical issues involved in the case.
b) What action as a SHO will you take to solve the case?
Answer:
Ethical Issues Involved:
Threat to social trust and harmony – Social Good
Emotional Intelligence
Politics of religion
Value of friendship
Unexpected burden on both the families – Injustice
Discrimination on the basis of religion for filing FIR
a)
Society: In above case, the minuscule fight between two good friends has been unduly aired as a
communal fight. It shows the unethical act by few elements for their own benefits. It is causing damage
to the social harmony.
Both Families: Though both the families wanted to mutually solve the case, but the political influencers
and the superior of SHO wanted to shift burden on Rashid and his family.
Me as SHO: Ethical dilemma of following orders of superior v/s my own conscience.
Value of Friendship: Small fights are a part and parcel of friendship. In this case, we can see the
mockery of friendship. It is injustice with both Rashid and Rahul.
b) As a SHO, I will take following action:
As an immediate step, I will try to keep away all the local politicians and anti-social elements away from
Rahul’s and Rashid’s family. Also, police protection will be provided to both the families.
I will personally talk with both the families and encourage them to stand firm for solving the issue mutually.
It will help in preventing any damage to the careers of Rahul and Rashid.
I will try to persuade my superior not to incline on filing case against Rashid and follow the due process of
law and equality before law. Also, I will remind him our duty as a public servant.
Following my conscience, I will appeal the people to restrain themselves from involving in any violent
activity and to maintain the social harmony and encourage the values of fraternity and brotherhood.
Mutual understanding and fraternity are the need of hour to maintain the social harmony of the society. As Ganhiji
rightly says that, “An eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind.”
