Serious allegations require material beyond a general complaint

The complaint alleged bribery in broad terms. It did not set out details of the particular bail orders. A preliminary inquiry then examined selected orders. The Court scrutinised the evidentiary basis for the disciplinary action. A serious charge cannot be sustained on suspicion alone. The material must reasonably support the conclusion of misconduct. A general allegation does not replace proof of the charged acts. The Court found the evidence inadequate in this case. Nirbhay Singh Suliya v. State of Madhya Pradesh & Anr. | 2026 INSC 7