New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday came down heavily on Madhya Pradesh cabinet minister and BJP leader Kunwar Vijay Shah for his controversial remarks against Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who had played a key role in briefing the media on Operation Sindoor—a military operation targeting Pakistan.
Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, heading the bench along with Justice A.G. Masih, termed Shah’s statements “unacceptable and insensitive”, and expressed displeasure over the lack of accountability in political discourse. “A person holding such an office is expected to maintain a certain degree of responsibility. Every sentence uttered by a minister must reflect that responsibility,” the CJI remarked, as reported by Live Law.
The apex court also refused to stay the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s order that directed the police to initiate criminal proceedings against Shah. Instead, CJI Gavai advised Shah to go and apologise in the High Court.
Shah had approached the Supreme Court to challenge the May 14 order of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which had taken suo motu cognisance of the minister’s remarks and ordered an FIR to be registered against him. The FIR was filed under Sections 152, 196(1)(b), and 197(1)(c) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)—relating to acts affecting the sovereignty and unity of India and disturbing communal harmony.
The High Court had also warned of contempt proceedings against the Director General of Police if the FIR was not filed by Wednesday evening. Responding to the court’s directives, the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office stated that CM Mohan Yadav had instructed authorities to take action as per the High Court’s order.
“Following the order of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, the Chief Minister has given instructions to take action regarding the statement of Cabinet Minister Vijay Shah,” said a statement issued by the CMO.
