Madhya Pradesh Government Finalizes Reply Against Prosecution of Minister Vijay Shah in Colonel Sofiya Qureshi Case
Quick Look
- The Madhya Pradesh government has prepared a five-point response explaining its decision not to sanction prosecution of senior cabinet minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for controversial remarks against Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, citing lack of complaints, absence of naming, repeated apologies, and no intent to insult.
- The reply will be submitted to the Supreme Court after legal vetting.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The controversy began in May 2025 when a video showed Kunwar Vijay Shah making objectionable remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who gained prominence during media briefings on Operation Sindoor. The MP High Court took suo motu cognisance, rebuked Shah, and ordered an FIR for promoting enmity and hatred. The Supreme Court later closed high court proceedings and sought a status report from the SIT.
Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi (L) and senior cabinet minister Kunwar Vijay Shah (R)
BHOPAL: MP govt has finalised a five-point reply explaining its decision not to grant sanction to prosecute senior cabinet minister Kunwar Vijay Shah over his controversial remarks on Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who gained prominence during the media briefings on Operation Sindoor. The reply is likely to be submitted before the Supreme Court in the next few days after being vetted by legal experts, the chief secretary and the chief minister’s office. The state cabinet headed by chief minister Mohan Yadav had on Aug 25 decided against granting sanction to prosecute Shah. The recommendation was subsequently sent to governor Mangubhai Patel, who approved it late Monday. The govt’s response, prepared after the governor endorsed the cabinet decision, states that no person came forward to lodge a complaint against Shah following his controversial remarks. It also argues that the minister did not name Col Sofiya Qureshi in his statement, subsequently apologised several times, and did not intend to insult anyone. Also read | Supreme Court in no mood to condone Madhya Pradesh minister in Col Sofiya Qureshi case
No sanction as no one filed any complaint yet: MP on Vijay Shah case
Shah’s remarks neither disturbed communal harmony nor were made with any such intention, the govt further reasons. On Monday, additional solicitor general K M Nataraj, appearing for the state govt, had informed an SC bench headed by CJI Surya Kant that the SIT had completed its probe in the matter and a chargesheet would be filed once the sanction for prosecution, pending before the competent authority, was received. Shah came under fire after a video showed him making objectionable remarks against Col Qureshi in May 2025. The MP high court, taking suo motu cognisance, rebuked him for using “language of the gutters” and ordered police to file an FIR against him on charges of promoting enmity and hatred. On May 28, 2025, the SC ordered the closure of proceedings before the high court, saying it was now looking into the matter, and asked for a status report from the SIT constituted by the MP govt. After drawing severe condemnation, Shah expressed regret. However, on July 28 last year, the top court pulled up Shah for not placing a public apology over his remarks on record against Col Qureshi, saying he was “testing the court’s patience”. The minister subsequently apologised repeatedly.
End of Article
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Supreme Court will review the MP government's five-point reply and may either accept it or demand further justification before deciding on sanction for prosecution.
Likely
If the Supreme Court rejects the government's reply, it may direct the grant of sanction for prosecution, leading to a trial against Kunwar Vijay Shah.
Possible · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will the Supreme Court accept the MP government's five-point reply?
- What specific legal basis does the government cite for claiming no complaint was filed?
- Has the SIT completed its chargesheet as mentioned by the additional solicitor general?
- Will Colonel Sofiya Qureshi or any other party file a private complaint despite the lack of sanction?
