You are a Municipal Commissioner of a tier-2 city experiencing rapid urban expansion. High-rise residential and commercial buildings are under construction in the area, employing hundreds of daily-wage labourers, many of whom live in temporary settlements at the construction site. One evening during the monsoon season, a large section of scaffolding and concrete slabs collapse from the under-construction buildings. Seven labourers, including two minors, die on the spot. Several others are critically injured and rushed to the hospital. The tragic incident results in public outrage, intense media scrutiny, and protests by a local NGO. The state government orders a formal inquiry and directs you to submit a report within a week. Your preliminary investigation reveals a series of irregularities. The construction manager claims to have abided by the National Building Code. Although the approved plan permits construction of fifteen floors, the builder has added two extra floors. Moreover, the structure has encroached on land earmarked for a community park and a fire service lane under the city's Zonal Development Plan. These violations are not reported during site inspections conducted by the building inspector of the municipal corporation. The building clearance was granted during the tenure of your predecessor, who is not only your corruption suspect but also a close friend. Both of you were roommates during your training at LBSNAA. Prima facie, the case appears to involve a widespread nexus between officials of the Municipal Corporation and the builder. Your colleague is putting pressure on you to go slow in the inquiry. Some of them suggest that holding the builder accountable could damage the PTI/DA amongst investors and slow down urban development. Meanwhile, you come to know that the builder is the younger brother of a powerful politician in the state cabinet. One evening, his personal aide visits you privately. He suggests that the builder could be "mutually settled" and you could be offered a premium apartment worth ₹2 crore in the same residential complex. In the same breath, he hints that if the matter is not resolved 'softly' in the builder's favour, someone in his office is prepared to file a complaint against you under the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. a) Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case. b) What are the options available to you in this situation? c) Explain your selected course of action.