High Court Orders Correction of “Deliberately Weakened” FIR Against Minister in Colonel Qureshi Case

0
Madhya Pradesh HC

Key Points

  • Madhya Pradesh Tribal Affairs Minister Vijay Shah faces legal trouble over his controversial remarks about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, with both the Supreme Court and High Court rebuking him.
  • The Madhya Pradesh High Court has expressed dissatisfaction with the “weak” FIR filed against Shah and ordered immediate corrections to strengthen the case.
  • Shah’s petition to the Supreme Court seeking to stop the FIR was met with admonishment from CJI BR Gavai, who emphasized that ministers must speak responsibly.
  • The controversial remarks, made on May 12 at an event in Mhow, referred to Colonel Qureshi as a “sister of terrorists” in relation to Operation Sindoor.
  • The next High Court hearing is scheduled for June 16, while the Supreme Court will hear Shah’s plea on May 16.

Jabalpur: The controversy surrounding Madhya Pradesh Tribal Affairs Minister Vijay Shah’s derogatory remarks about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi has intensified as both the Supreme Court and Madhya Pradesh High Court delivered strong rebukes. The Jabalpur High Court expressed serious dissatisfaction with the FIR filed against Shah, describing it as deliberately weakened and ordering immediate corrections to properly document the minister’s offensive statements.

During Thursday’s hearing, the division bench of Justices Atul Sreedharan and Anuradha Shukla criticized the police for drafting an FIR that “has been drafted in such a way that there is no clear mention of the accused’s deeds.” The court observed that the FIR was “so weak that if it is challenged, it can easily be cancelled,” and viewed this as a breach of the court’s trust.

Justice Sreedharan stated, “Preparing the FIR in such a careless manner in such a serious case is not only a mockery of the legal process, but it is also tampering with the dignity of the country’s army and a woman officer.” The court has ordered that the FIR be corrected immediately to include the full facts and context of Shah’s statement.

Supreme Court Refuses Immediate Relief, Admonishes Minister

Shah’s attempt to seek relief from the Supreme Court also faced a setback. Chief Justice BR Gavai, hearing Shah’s urgent plea on Thursday morning, delivered a sharp rebuke: “A person holding such an office is expected to maintain such a decree…every sentence uttered by a minister has to be with responsibility”.

The Supreme Court declined to stay the FIR or halt proceedings in the High Court, instead directing Shah to approach the High Court first. The apex court agreed to hear his plea on Friday, May 16.

The Controversial Statement That Sparked Outrage

The controversy erupted after Shah made remarks during a public event in Mhow, Indore district on May 12, 2025. Without directly naming Colonel Qureshi, who had been briefing the media about Operation Sindoor, Shah said: “Those who had wiped off the vermilion of our sisters, we sent their sister and got them beaten up”.

The statement appeared to refer to Colonel Qureshi as a “sister of terrorists” involved in the Pahalgam terror attack that had prompted India’s military response. Colonel Qureshi, along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, had been the public face of the Indian Army during media briefings on Operation Sindoor.

High Court’s Strong Stance Against “Gutter Language”

The Jabalpur High Court took suo motu cognizance of Shah’s remarks on May 14, describing them as “disparaging,” “dangerous,” and “language of the gutters.” The court observed that such statements not only insulted a female military officer but also threatened the dignity of the Indian Army, national unity, and social harmony.

The court directed the state’s Director General of Police to immediately register an FIR against Shah under sections 152 (acts endangering sovereignty), 196(1)(b) (promoting enmity on grounds of religion), and 197(1)(c) (outraging the modesty of a woman) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Minister’s Apologies Fail to Quell Controversy

Despite issuing multiple apologies, Shah has been unable to contain the fallout. In a video posted on social media, he said: “I am not only ashamed and saddened by my recent statement which has hurt the sentiments of every community, but I also apologise from the bottom of my heart”.

Shah has claimed his statement was misunderstood and that he respects Colonel Qureshi “more than his sister.” However, these apologies have not satisfied the courts or stemmed public outrage.

The next hearing in the High Court is scheduled after the court vacation, likely on June 16, 2025, while the Supreme Court will take up Shah’s petition on Friday, May 16. As the legal process unfolds, the case continues to highlight issues of respect for the armed forces, communal harmony, and the responsibility of public officials in their speech.

Advertisement