Supreme Court Slams MP Minister Vijay Shah for Controversial Remarks Against Col Sofiya Qureshi

Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai termed the MP Minister's controversial remark as unacceptable and insensitive. CJI Gavai asked the minister to go to the High Court and apologise regarding his insensitive comment. 

Vijay Shah approached the top court against the Madhya Pradesh High Court on a May 14 order, where a registration of an FIR was ordered against him.

During the controversy, the Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai, said that it is expected that the minister should speak with some responsibility. 

“A person holding such an office is expected to maintain such a decree; every sentence uttered by a minister has to be with responsibility,” CJI Gavai said as quoted by Live Law.

The SC bench, comprising CJI BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih, agreed to hear Shah’s plea challenging the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s order on Friday, May 16.

Taking suo motu cognisance of the controversial statement, the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Wednesday ordered police to register an FIR against the minister.

The FIR was registered against the minister under sections 152, 196(1) (b), and 197(1)(c), of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) after the High Court order. A division board of the High Court Had taken suo motu cognisance against him and directed the Director General of Police(DGP) to lodge an immediate FIR.

Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s office said that the CM directed the authorities to take strict action against Shah. 

The controversy erupted after a video clip of Shah’s speech went viral on social media. Though Shah did not name any individual in his speech, his remarks were widely interpreted as an indirect reference to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. 

He later apologised for his remark and said that his remarks were taken out of context and were meant to praise Colonel Sofia Qureshi’s bravery.