LawSkills

Serial No.	Course Name	Text
1	General	Launch of LawSkills on 28th June 2017

WhistleBlowing – Policy, Procedure & Cautions

1250.00

In February 2012, the Supreme Court canceled 122 telecom licenses awarded to 16 Indian companies.

Aseervatham Achary, one of the top officers of the telecommunication department, decided to raise voice against the illegal activities happening within the department. Subsequently, he blew the whistle on the Telecom Minister A Raja's and DMK MP Kanimozhi attempt to grant the controversial licenses to the nine operators. He provided crucial documents and information to the CBI that led to unearthing of 2G scandal thereby risking his life to expose the scam.

The action was taken when it was established that majority of them had bribed senior government officials.

Consequently, a number of senior government officials as well as employees of the private sector were jailed in the aftermath of the scam. The scam was estimated to be $27bn – became widely known as the 2G-spectrum scam.

Whistle blowing is the act of drawing public notice, or the attention of an authority figure, to perceived wrongdoing, misconduct, unethical activity within public, private or third-sector organizations. Fraud, corruption, bullying, cover-ups, health and safety violation, and discrimination are common activities highlighted by whistleblowers.

Whistle blowing on internal malpractices and external threats is tremendously significant for the functioning and survival of organizations. The course aims to make the learners know about their accountability to blow the whistle and the protection given to whistleblowers.

In the course you will learn when and how to blow the whistle, and how whistleblowers are protected under the Indian law. This course intends to provide legally amenable guidance about whistle blowing and public interest disclosure. It aims to help learners understand their tasks and obligations when faced with improper conduct in the workplace.

COURSE OUTCOME

After completing this course, you will be able to:

Understand the concept of whistle blowing;
Outline some of the protections afforded to whistleblowers;
Understand whistle blowing in the context of Companies Act;
Identify who can make a public interest disclosure, when and about whom; and
Recognize the benefits of an effective whistle blowing policy.

COURSE OUTLINE

Module 1 – Introduction to Whistle Blowing
Module 2 – Whistle Blowing and The Law
Module 3 – Corporate Whistle Blowing Policy
Module 4 – If You Want to Blow the Whistle
Certification Exam/ Assessment

CERTIFICATION

For learners who score more than 80 percent in the final exam & excellent remarks in assignments

Honors Badge

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE

Corporate Professionals
Contractors and vendors working within the public sector
Anyone who may be affected by the decisions of public bodies or agencies

Level: Beginners

Language: English

Duration: 6 Months

EVALUATION METHOD

Progress will be tested by way of quizzes and assignments at the end of each Module. Learners must attempt the exam at the end of the course and secure at least 50% marks to obtain course certificate.

About the Author

Deepali Kharbanda, with inputs from Palak Pathak. Deepali, is an alumnus of Faculty of Law, Delhi University, and currently working as Faculty and Senior Legal Editor at LawSkills. She brings on board 10 years of extensive experience and specializes in the field of law and technology, commercial laws and policy. Palak did her LLB from DES Law College, University of Pune. She holds Diploma in International Business Law and Corporate Law in India from Symbiosis Law School. She is associated with Legasis Services Pvt. Ltd and has wide-ranging experience in the matters related to corporate and commercial law.