Supreme Court slams BJP MP over irresponsible remark against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi

Slamming the Madhya Pradesh minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for his controversial comments against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who had briefed the media about Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, the Supreme Court on Thursday said person at such positions need to more responsible when the country is facing such a situation.

Referring to Operation Sindoor, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India B R Gavai said, “Holding a constitutional position, you should have exercised a degree of restraint, especially when the country is undergoing such a situation.”

While the top court agreed on Friday to hear Vijay Shah’s plea seeking a stay on the FIR registered against him, it refused to pause the ongoing proceedings in the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which had initiated the FIR suo motu.

During a brief hearing, Senior Advocate Vibha Dutta Makhija, representing Vijay Shah, urged the court to stay the FIR registered against him following the High Court’s order.

“He has expressed remorse and has been misunderstood; the media has sensationalised the issue. We are seeking a stay on the FIR,” Dutta told the bench.

However, the Supreme Court declined to grant a stay at this stage. Instead, it directed Shah to inform the High Court that the matter is now before the apex court.

“We will hear it tomorrow. You know your position. We are aware nothing drastic will happen, just because you are a minister,” the Bench remarked.

Colonel Qureshi was one of the Army officers who had briefed the media about India's recent cross-border military response, Operation Sindoor, against Pakistan.

The operation was conducted in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22 in which 26 Indian civilians were killed.

Shah has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s order dated May 14. Acting on its own, the High Court had directed the police to register an FIR against the BJP minister in response to his controversial remarks.

In compliance with the High Court’s directive, an FIR was registered on Wednesday against Vijay Shah under Sections 152, 196(1)(b), and 197(1)(c) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertain to acts endangering national sovereignty and promoting enmity between different groups.

The FIR was filed following a suo motu directive by a division bench of the High Court, which instructed the Director General of Police to ensure immediate action.

Shah had stirred controversy after reportedly said, “Those who widowed our daughters, we sent a sister of their own to teach them a lesson.”

In his defence, Shah claimed his comments were misrepresented and that he had actually intended to praise Colonel Sofiya Qureshi for her bravery.

India