‘A mere compliance with law is not enough, the public servant also has to have a well-developed sensibility to ethical issues for effective discharge of duties.’ Do you agree? Explain with the help of two examples where (i) an act is ethically right, but not legally, and (ii) an act is legally right, but not ethically. (10 marks) (150 words)
Public servants should not act mechanically while implementing the laws or performing their duties. They must also take into account the consequences of their actions while discharging their duties. They must use their discretionary powers to work for the public good and create better society.
1. A man has given his house on rent. However, the tenant refuses to vacate the flat after the expiry of the lease agreement. The man requests his IPS friend to get the house vacated. The friend sends local police officers to the house who threaten and thrash the tenant. As a result, the house is vacated by the tenant. Such an action is ethically right, but legally wrong.
2. A police officer catches a poor and hungry man stealing bread and arrests him for theft. He is legally right as all thefts are punishable in law. However, such an action may not be ethically right since the act was done under desperation and the amount is quite small. The punishment is quite disproportionate to the crime.
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