The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Madhya Pradesh government to take a clear decision within two weeks on whether to allow prosecution of Tribal Affairs Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah. The case is linked to his controversial remarks about Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who had briefed the media during Operation Sindoor last year.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant showed strong displeasure over the delay by the state government. The court noted that the Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed on the Supreme Court’s directions, had already completed its examination and formally requested permission to prosecute the minister. However, the state had not acted on that request.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court opened the SIT’s sealed report and observed that the investigation team had carefully studied the matter before seeking prosecution sanction. When asked why no decision was taken, the Madhya Pradesh government told the court that it did not move forward because the case was pending before the Supreme Court.
Rejecting this explanation, the court clearly instructed the state to act according to law. The Bench said that merely because the case is being heard by the Supreme Court does not mean the government can avoid taking a decision.
The court also noted that the SIT had pointed out other instances where Vijay Shah allegedly made objectionable remarks. The judges directed the investigation team to submit a separate report explaining what action is proposed in those cases as well.
During arguments, senior advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for Shah, told the court that the minister had already apologised and was cooperating with the investigation. The Bench, however, was not convinced. The Chief Justice said there was no apology on record and added that even if one was claimed, it had come too late.
Earlier as well, the Supreme Court had questioned Shah’s claim of issuing an online apology, describing such statements as attempts to escape legal responsibility.
The case began after the Madhya Pradesh High Court took suo motu notice of Shah’s remarks and ordered registration of an FIR against him. Shah then approached the Supreme Court, which granted him temporary protection from arrest and directed the formation of a three-member SIT, including a woman IPS officer, to investigate the matter.
