The Supreme Court of India is set to hear on January 19 the plea of MP Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah against an order directing an FIR over his remarks on Army officer Col Sofiya Qureshi. The case follows strong court criticism, questions over his apology, and an ongoing SIT probe.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India is likely to hear on January 19 a plea filed by Kunwar Vijay Shah, a minister from Madhya Pradesh, challenging a High Court order that directed the registration of an FIR against him for making offensive remarks against Indian Army officer Col Sofiya Qureshi.
The matter is expected to be taken up by a bench headed by CJI Surya Kant, along with Justices Dipankar Datta and Joymalya Bagchi. The plea comes after Shah expressed regret over his controversial comments, which had sparked widespread criticism.
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Earlier, on July 28, 2025, the top court had strongly reprimanded Shah for failing to place a proper public apology on record. The bench observed that the minister was “testing the court’s patience” by not complying with its directions.
The court also said that Shah’s conduct was raising serious concerns, as it was
“prompting it to doubt his intentions and bonafide.”
During the hearing, senior advocate K. Parmeshwar, appearing on behalf of Shah, submitted that the minister had already issued a public apology, which was circulated online, and assured the court that it would be placed on record.
However, the bench was not convinced and questioned the manner in which the apology was made, asking,
“What is an online apology? We are starting to have doubts about his intentions and bonafide. You place the apology on record. We will have to see it,”
the court said.
The Supreme Court had also directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which was constituted to probe the statements made by Shah, to submit its report by August 13, 2025. An officer from the SIT later appeared before the court with a sealed cover report and informed the bench that statements of 27 people examined by the probe team were under scrutiny.
The bench, however, pointed out that the SIT should have recorded statements of those whose sentiments were hurt by the remarks, instead of focusing on Shah’s statements.
Earlier, on May 28 last year, the Supreme Court had ordered the closure of proceedings pending before the Madhya Pradesh High Court against Shah in connection with the controversial remarks. At the same time, it sought a status report from the SIT regarding the investigation.
Before that, the apex court had already taken a stern view of the matter, chided Shah for his conduct, and ordered the constitution of the SIT to investigate the FIR lodged against him.
The controversy erupted after a video clip went viral on social media, allegedly showing Shah making objectionable comments against Col Sofiya Qureshi. The officer had gained nationwide recognition, along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, for her role in official media briefings during Operation Sindoor.
Taking serious note of the remarks, the Madhya Pradesh High Court strongly criticised Shah for making “scurrilous” comments and using “language of the gutters” against a serving Army officer. The High Court ordered the police to register an FIR against him on charges related to promoting enmity and hatred.
Following strong public backlash and legal action, Shah expressed regret over his remarks and stated that he holds Col Qureshi in the highest respect, saying that he respects her more than his sister.
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