The Supreme Court extended its interim order protecting Madhya Pradesh BJP minister Kunwar Vijay Shah from arrest in connection with his controversial remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, the senior Army officer who had briefed the media on Operation Sindoor, India’s recent military operation against terror infrastructure in Pakistan.

The apex court also ordered the closure of proceedings before the Madhya Pradesh High Court, noting that the Supreme Court is already seized of the matter. The development came as the Court reviewed the status report submitted by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) overseeing the case.

The DIG's report revealed that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) consisting of three senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers was constituted and formally began its probe on May 21. The SIT has since collected additional material and recorded statements of multiple witnesses. The Court was informed that the investigation remains in its initial stages.

Minister Shah’s remarks sparked outrage across political and defence circles, with critics accusing him of disrespecting the armed forces and undermining a national security operation. Several opposition leaders have called for his resignation.