Administrative authorities must distinguish error from culpable conduct

The disciplinary action arose from the officer’s grant of bail. The concern was that statutory twin conditions were not mentioned. The Court asked whether the orders per se justified removal. Judicial error and misconduct are not interchangeable concepts. The authority must identify evidence of culpable conduct. A contrary interpretation alone cannot establish corrupt motive. The Court found the required evidentiary basis absent. The removal order was held unjustified. Nirbhay Singh Suliya v. State of Madhya Pradesh & Anr. | 2026 INSC 7