The Supreme Court on Monday instructed the Madhya Pradesh government to decide within two weeks whether to sanction prosecution against Tribal Affairs Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah.
Shah faces legal scrutiny for his controversial comments targeting Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who briefed the media during last year’s Operation Sindoor.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant expressed frustration over the state government’s delay.
The Court noted that the Special Investigation Team (SIT), appointed by it, had already recommended prosecution.
The bench examined the SIT’s sealed report. It noted that the team had collected evidence and formally requested the state government’s approval to proceed against Shah.
The Madhya Pradesh government told the Court that it had not taken action. It argued that the matter was sub judice before the Supreme Court.
The CJI-led bench rejected this reasoning and directed:
The State must take appropriate legal steps for sanction under the law within two weeks.
The Court also asked the SIT to provide a detailed report on other instances where Shah allegedly made objectionable remarks, and to outline the proposed action in those cases.
Senior advocate Maninder Singh, representing Shah, claimed the minister had apologised and was cooperating with the investigation.
The bench dismissed this, stating, “Where is the apology? Nothing appears on record. Now it is too late.”
Earlier, the apex court had criticised Shah’s alleged online apology as ‘crocodile tears’, aimed at escaping legal consequences.
BJP MLA Vijay Shah of Harsood is a member of CM Mohan Yadav’s Cabinet. He approached the Supreme Court after the MP High Court ordered an FIR against him.
The Supreme Court granted him temporary protection from arrest and coercive action. It instructed the Madhya Pradesh DGP to form a three-member SIT, including a senior woman officer, to conduct a thorough investigation.
The SC’s directive signals strict oversight of political leaders making defamatory remarks against defence personnel. The government now faces pressure to act decisively.
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