Today, On 28th May, The Supreme Court closed Madhya Pradesh High Court proceedings against Kunwar Vijay Shah over his remarks on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, cautioning, “Don’t politicise the matter,” while an SIT formally began its probe into the controversy
New Delhi: The Supreme Court terminated the suo motu proceedings pending in the Madhya Pradesh High Court against Kunwar Vijay Shah, a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Madhya Pradesh minister, regarding his comments about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.
Colonel Qureshi had briefed the media during India’s recent military operation against Pakistan.
A Bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Dipankar Datta made this decision, emphasizing that the Supreme Court is already handling the matter.
Justice Surya kant remarked,
“Don’t politicise the matter”.
The Court stated,
“Let High Court close the proceedings in view of case here (Supreme Court). Let there shall be no parallel proceedings.”
Previously, the Court had established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) consisting of senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers to investigate the case and had instructed Shah to cooperate with the investigation while temporarily staying his arrest.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Madhya Pradesh government, informed the Court that the SIT has been formed and is actively investigating. It was also reported that Shah’s mobile phone has been seized.
In its order, the Supreme Court noted,
“Status report by DIG Police has been filed. It is stated SIT of three IPS officers constituted and probe done on May 21. More material collected. Script of speech prepared and mobile phone seized. Witness statements recorded. Probe is in initial stage. More time prayed for. Post the matter post partial working days. Let probe continue and status report be filed then. Interim order to continue.”
Shah’s remarks had sparked controversy, as he reportedly stated,
“Those who widowed our daughters, we sent a sister of their own to teach them a lesson.”
This comment was widely interpreted as a veiled reference to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, one of the Army officers who had spoken to the media about India’s recent cross-border military operation, Operation Sindoor, against Pakistan.
Shah made the controversial remark during a public event in Raikunda village, Ambedkar Nagar (Mhow), which sparked widespread backlash and calls for his resignation.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court, On May 14, initiated a suo motu case against Shah and ordered the registration of a criminal case. In response, he approached the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court, On May 19, granted him interim protection from arrest but issued strong statements regarding his actions.
The Court remarked,
“The entire nation is ashamed of you. It is up to you how you redeem yourself.”
Case Title: Kunwar Vijay Shah Versus The High Court Of Madhya Pradesh And Ors., Diary No. 27093-2025