SC Slams MP Minister Vijay Shah Over Remarks Against Col Sofiya Qureshi

New Delhi – The Supreme Court on Thursday sharply criticized Madhya Pradesh Minister Vijay Shah for making objectionable remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, stating that every word spoken by a minister must carry a sense of responsibility, especially in times when the nation faces sensitive circumstances.

Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, heading a bench that also included Justice Augustine George Masih, addressed Shah’s counsel with a stern message: “What sort of statements are you making? You are a responsible minister of the government.” The court was hearing Shah’s plea challenging the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s May 14 order directing the police to register an FIR against him.

“When this country is going through such a situation, every sentence or word uttered by a responsible minister has to be with a sense of responsibility,” the CJI remarked. The bench emphasized that individuals holding constitutional positions are expected to exercise restraint in public discourse.

Senior advocate Vibha Datta Makhija, representing Shah, urged the apex court to take up the matter urgently. She argued that the high court had taken suo motu cognisance of the issue without giving Shah an opportunity to be heard before ordering the FIR. “The petitioner, who is the state’s tribal affairs minister, has expressed remorse,” she said. “It was a statement that was misunderstood. He never meant what is being portrayed by the media.”

The bench, however, noted that an FIR had already been registered and asked why the minister had not approached the high court for relief first. “Merely because somebody is a minister, should we entertain it?” the CJI asked, suggesting that Shah should have applied before the high court.

Makhija responded by requesting a stay on any action against Shah until the matter is heard in the Supreme Court. She also pointed out that the high court had listed the matter for a hearing on the same day.

The bench remained firm and said, “Nothing is likely to happen in 24 hours.” It advised Shah’s counsel to inform the high court that the matter would come up for hearing in the Supreme Court on Friday.

The controversy erupted after a widely circulated video showed Vijay Shah allegedly making offensive remarks against Col Sofiya Qureshi. She, along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, had gained national attention during media briefings on Operation Sindoor, India’s evacuation mission in West Asia.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court strongly criticized Shah’s comments, describing them as “scurrilous” and stating that he used “language of the gutters.” The court ordered the police to immediately register an FIR under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for promoting enmity and inciting hatred.

In its order, the high court stated, “On the basis of what has been observed herein above, this court directs the Director General of Police of Madhya Pradesh to register forthwith an FIR against minister Vijay Shah for offences under sections 152, 196(1)(b) and 197(1)(c) of the BNS.”

Following the court’s directive, an FIR was registered against Shah in Indore district on Wednesday night. The charges include:

• Section 152: Acts endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India
• Section 196(1)(b): Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, language, etc.
• Section 197(1)(c): Statements or actions likely to cause disharmony or hatred between different groups

In response to the backlash, Shah said he is willing to apologize multiple times if his statement has hurt anyone. “I respect Col Qureshi more than my sister,” he said, attempting to defuse the public outrage.

The Supreme Court is set to hear the case on Friday, where Shah seeks a stay on the FIR and an opportunity to be heard before any further legal action is taken.