SC closes HC case against MP minister on Col Sofiya jibe

The Supreme Court on Wednesday closed the proceedings against Madhya Pradesh Tribal Affairs Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah before the state High Court over his controversial remarks against Col Sofia Qureshi, face of India’s press briefings on ‘Operation Sindoor’.

“Let the High Court close the proceedings in view of the case here (Supreme Court). There shall be no parallel proceedings,” said a Bench, led by Justice Surya Kant.

Giving more time to the SIT set up on its orders, the top court posted the matter for further hearing after the summer vacation when it will consider another status report to be filed by the SIT.

The Bench ordered that the interim order staying Shah’s arrest and asking the minister to join the probe shall continue till further orders.

Rejecting Shah’s apology, on May 19, the Supreme Court had ordered the Madhya Pradesh Director General of Police to constitute an SIT — led by an IGP and comprising two other IPS officers — to probe his controversial remarks.

On Wednesday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Bench on behalf of the MP Government that the SIT has been constituted and it has already started the probe.

He said the panel had also seized the accused’s mobile phone, along with a script of his speech. Besides, statements of some witnesses have been recorded. However, noting that the probe was at an initial stage, Mehta sought more time.

In an embarrassment to the BJP, the Madhya Pradesh High Court on May 14 ordered registration of an FIR against Shah for passing “dangerous” and “scurrilous” remarks using “language of the gutters” against Col Sofia Qureshi.

India