Ethics
Whispers of Power
- 12 Sep 2023
- 2 min read
In her recent assignment, Ms. Priya Sharma, a senior Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS) officer, was tasked with investigating a large conglomerate, GlobalCorp Ltd., known to have close ties with influential political figures. The investigation revealed that GlobalCorp had engaged in multiple instances of tax evasion, financial fraud, and environmental violations over the years. The evidence is compelling, and it's clear that the company needs to be held accountable.
However, shortly after the investigation began, Ms. Sharma received a phone call from a high-ranking government official with close ties to GlobalCorp's leadership. The official ‘requested’ her to reconsider the severity of the investigation, suggesting that taking strong action against the company could have political repercussions, including potential damage to her own career.
As the investigation progressed, Ms. Sharma and her team started receiving anonymous threats and intimidation, including messages warning her to back off from the case. These threats escalated, and it became clear that her work was putting not only her career but also her safety at risk.
Ms. Sharma is acutely aware of her ethical and legal obligation to pursue the investigation impartially and without interference. However, the pressure from political figures are taking a toll on her resolve.
As a consequence, Ms. Sharma slows down the investigation to mitigate the political fallout and personal threats. While she hasn't committed fraud herself, she has been tempted to compromise the integrity of the investigation to protect her own interests and well-being.
Should Ms. Sharma succumb to political pressure and compromise the investigation to safeguard her career and safety, or should she continue her pursuit of justice despite the risks?
