2023
Case: Radar detectors, also known as "Fuse busters", help drivers detect police
radar and slow down before being caught for speeding. While their use is illegal
in many places, manufacturing and marketing them is not banned.
Question: Should companies make and sell radar detectors? Discuss.
Solution:-
Tips 1) Professionals, including companies, have an ethical responsibility to contribute to public
welfare and safety. Manufacturing devices that help individuals circumvent law enforcement
mechanisms undermines legal compliance and poses public safety risks.
Tips 2) Ethical business practices require that companies do not exploit legal loopholes for
profit, especially when the product encourages illegal or harmful behavior, such as
overspeeding and avoiding accountability.
Tips 3) Products like radar detectors indirectly promote unsafe driving. Though they do not
cause accidents themselves, they embolden drivers to exceed speed limits, which can lead to
traffic accidents and fatalities.
Tips 4) According to professional ethics and corporate social responsibility, companies must
prioritize long-term public interest over short-term gains. Just because a product is not banned
does not mean it should be manufactured if its use violates laws or public trust.
Tips 5) A company’s reputation is built not only on legality but also on ethics. Manufacturing
radar detectors can lead to negative public perception and potential future legal restrictions,
affecting the company’s brand and trust.
Tips 6) Based on the above, I would conclude that companies should not manufacture or sell
radar detectors. Even if not currently illegal to produce, their use is unethical and harmful to
society. Business decisions must align with both legal compliance and moral integrity.
2021
This is an ethical case study involving a moral and life-threatening dilemma:
Case 5: Ethical Dilemma in the Desert
Case Description:
A military man is in a desert and is dying of thirst. He encounters another soldier and asks for
cold water that the second soldier has in his bag. However:If the soldier does not give the
water, the man will die of thirst.If the soldier gives the cold water, it is certain that the man
will die of cold water stroke.You are asked to describe the dilemma and decide whether it is
right to give him the cold water or not.
This is a classic ethical dilemma where any choice has serious consequences. The core issue is
choosing between inaction leading to certain death from thirst or action that may immediately
harm due to cold water stroke. The ethical analysis is as follows:
Tip 1:
A professional (or in this case, a soldier) is expected to act in the best interest of life and human
dignity. The preservation of life must be a priority, but not through actions that are known to
directly cause harm.
Tip 2:
In such dilemmas, one must look for alternative solutions, like offering small sips of cold water
gradually or letting the water warm up slightly before giving it. Ethical decisions often involve
finding a middle ground that avoids both extremes.
Tip 3:
The principle of “Do No Harm” (non-maleficence) must guide the decision. Giving cold water
known to cause death violates this principle.
Tip 4:
However, doing nothing when someone is dying of thirst may also be ethically and morally
irresponsible. An attempt must be made to help, even in a risky situation.
Tip 5:
An ethically sound approach would be to try rehydrating the person slowly, or wait until the
water is no longer cold if time allows. If no such option exists, then the soldier may have to
make a decision based on minimizing harm and intentions of good faith.
Tip 6:
Based on the above discussion, I would not immediately give cold water, but instead try to
make it safe to drink first. If no time or method is available, I would consult any available
medical knowledge or protocol, but I would not act in a way that knowingly ensures death.
2016 Case 5: Arrest of Nirab Gyawali and the Role of Cybercrime & Social Media
Summary of the Case:
Date of Incident: August 2, 2017
Person Arrested: Nirab Gyawali, son of CPN-UML Bharatpur mayoral candidate Devi Gyawali.
Reason: Allegedly posted defamatory content on Facebook against Renu Dahal (CPN Maoist
Centre leader, daughter of Pushpa Kamal Dahal, a key political figure).
Context: Renu Dahal narrowly won the second round of voting in Bharatpur’s ward 19 by just
~200 votes.
Timeline Issue: The post was made earlier (after Maoist cadres allegedly tore ballot papers in
May), but the arrest was done after over a month.
Legal Outcome: He was detained based on a complaint, later released on a bail of Rs. 25,000.
He was found to have only commented on someone else’s post, not created it.
Public Reaction: Apology was given after criticism. The incident raised concerns about
freedom of speech and political pressure.
(a) Why do you think arrest was made after more than a month and do you think it had a
political motive? Did it impact the election result?
Answer:
The delay in arrest (more than a month after the incident) raises suspicion of political
motivation, especially since the timing was just two days before a crucial voting round.
Political Motive: It appears likely, as Nirab was the son of a political rival and the arrest could
have been used to distract or demoralize the opposing side.
Impact on Election: Yes, the case could have influenced the public perception, especially among
neutral voters, potentially affecting the election's fairness. Such actions can create fear among
political activists and suppress opposition voices.
(b) What lesson does the above story give regarding responsible usage of social media?
Answer:
Think before you post or comment. Even a comment on a post can lead to legal consequences.
Be aware that social media is not private; it is a public platform and any political or defamatory
content can attract scrutiny and legal action.
Avoid sharing or reacting to unverified information, especially during sensitive periods like
elections.
This case teaches that digital footprints matter and one must act responsibly to avoid being
caught in unintended legal or political consequences.
(c) What extent of Cybercrime awareness does the story show among Nepalese citizens and
institutions?
Answer:
Low awareness among citizens: The case reveals that even educated individuals may not fully
understand what constitutes cybercrime—commenting on someone else's post was enough for
arrest.
Institutions may misuse cyber laws: Authorities might use cybercrime charges to settle political
scores rather than uphold digital law objectively.
This case also shows a lack of public clarity on legal boundaries regarding online speech,
defamation, and political critique.
There’s a need for public awareness campaigns and clear legal frameworks to ensure both
freedom of speech and responsible digital conduct.
2016/2022 5) Case Study:
An engineer, hired by a software company, believes that a company’s new
software design is safe under existing standards. However, the new software
may not meet the new standards that he knows are about to be released.
Performing more tests could be expensive for both the company and the public.
This creates conflicting obligations to the company and to the general
public.Should the company meet the new standards? Discuss.
Solution:-
Tips 1) Engineers have a primary ethical obligation to the public. Even if the current standards
are met, they must consider whether the product would still be safe or effective once the new
standards come into effect.
Tips 2) Professional engineers must practice foresight. Knowing that updated standards are
about to be implemented, they must anticipate risks and guide the company to act responsibly
rather than merely meeting the minimum legal requirement.
Tips 3) The code of ethics emphasizes protecting the public’s safety, health, and welfare. Even if
the cost is higher, the engineer should recommend updating the product to meet the upcoming
standards.
Tips 4) Engineers should clearly communicate the risks and potential consequences of not
upgrading the software. This includes reputational damage, possible legal consequences, and
harm to public trust.
Tips 5) A company may face short-term loss from additional testing or redesign, but long-term
benefits include customer trust, fewer legal issues, and higher ethical standing. Ethical decisions
build credibility.
Tips 6) With reference to the above points, the engineer should recommend that the company
upgrade the software to meet the upcoming standards. This approach protects the public,
follows professional ethics, and ensures sustainable growth for the company.
This case study highlights an incident involving cybercrime, political influence, and the misuse
of social media in Nepal
2015 5) Case Study:
The situation of engineers leaving public employ and then working in the same area in the
private sector is a delicate issue. The engineer has had access to government knowledge that
the private client may desire. This case raises a question about the ethical permissibility of
such employment. Should engineers be employed in the same area in private sectors?
Discuss.
Solution:-
Tips 1) Engineering is a profession that demands strong ethical commitment. When a public
sector engineer shifts to a private job in the same area, it is important to ensure that
confidential government data and decisions are not misused for private gain.
Tips 2) Professional engineers are bound by a code of ethics, which requires them to avoid
conflict of interest and act with fairness and responsibility. Using insider information from a
government job to benefit a private employer is considered unethical.
Tips 3) Ethical behavior includes maintaining confidentiality even after leaving public service. If
the information gained during government service is still sensitive, using it in the private sector
could damage public trust and violate professional norms.
Tips 4) Many professional bodies and countries suggest a cooling-off period, during which a
former government employee cannot work in the same area. This protects the integrity of both
public and private institutions.
Tips 5) Professional engineers must also consider public perception. Even if no rules are broken,
taking advantage of prior access can appear unethical and reduce the public’s confidence in the
engineering profession.
Tips 6) With reference to above discussions, engineers can be employed in the same area in
private sectors only if they act ethically—avoiding any misuse of past confidential information,
following the code of ethics, and respecting public interest over personal or private gain.
