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Nirbhay Singh Suliya v. State of Madhya Pradesh & Anr.

Not available · 2026 INSC 7Decided 5 Jan 2026
Not available
Justice K.V. Viswanathan · Justice J.B. Pardiwala

Background

A judge with 27 years' service was removed after a disciplinary inquiry found he failed to expressly cite a specific statutory provision in four bail orders, despite the original complainant never being examined and the public prosecutor testifying the orders were proper.

Decision Breakdown

The Supreme Court called the misconduct finding "perverse," holding that a debatable or imperfectly-worded judicial order is not misconduct absent actual evidence of corruption or bad faith. It quashed the removal and ordered reinstatement with full back wages.

Lesson Learnt

A judge's decision, even if debatable or later found wrong, cannot end their career as "misconduct" unless there's real evidence of corruption or bad faith, protecting judicial independence.

Official source (sci.gov.in)View Judgment (PDF)

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