The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a petition today, May 19, filed by Madhya Pradesh Minister Vijay Shah. The petition challenges a high court ruling that ordered the registration of an FIR against him for comments made about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. A bench consisting of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh will hear the matter on May 19, according to the Supreme Court’s cause list.
On May 16, the bench had posted a plea of Shah, a BJP leader, for a hearing on Monday. Shah’s plea has challenged the May 14 order of the Madhya Pradesh High Court directing an FIR against him for the comments.
Vijay Shah Booked for Offensive Remarks Against Colonel Qureshi
Vijay Shah faced criticism after a widely circulated video allegedly showed him making objectionable remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. Col Qureshi, along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, had recently garnered national attention during media briefings related to Operation Sindoor.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court strongly rebuked Vijay Shah for making ‘scurrilous’ comments and using ‘language of the gutters’ against Colonel Qureshi. The court directed the police to register an FIR against him under charges related to promoting enmity and hatred.
“Based on the observations above, this court directs the Director General of Police of Madhya Pradesh to immediately register an FIR against Minister Vijay Shah for offences under sections 152, 196(1)(b), and 197(1)(c) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS),” the High Court said.
After drawing severe criticism, the BJP minister said he was ready to apologise 10 times if his statement had hurt anyone and he respected Col Sofiya Qureshi more than his sister.
The police in Indore district registered an FIR against Shah on May 14, following the High Court’s order.
They registered the FIR under Sections 152 (acts endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India), 196(1)(b) (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, language, or other similar characteristics), and 197(1)(c) (statement or action likely to cause disharmony, enmity, or hatred between different groups) of the BNS.
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