Madhya Pradesh High Court Orders FIR Against Minister Vijay Shah for Derogatory Remarks Against Army Officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi
(Syed Ali Taher Abedi)
Jabalpur, May 14, 2025 – In a strong and unprecedented move, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has Suo motu directed the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh State Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah. The directive comes in the wake of highly controversial remarks made by Shah, in which he referred to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a senior Indian Army officer, as a “sister of terrorists.”
A division bench comprising Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Anuradha Shukla observed that Shah’s statements, made during a public function in the village of Raikunda in Ambedkar Nagar, Mhow, prima facie constitute serious offences under the recently enacted Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023.
Court’s Observations
The Court stated that Shah’s remarks appeared to target not only Colonel Qureshi personally but also the integrity and honour of the Indian Armed Forces as an institution. The bench noted that Colonel Qureshi, alongside Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, was among the prominent spokespersons briefing the media about the progress of ‘Operation Sindoor’, a high-stakes military operation conducted by the Indian Air Force against terrorist camps in Pakistan.
In its detailed observations, the bench stated:
“The Indian Armed Forces, an institution that symbolizes integrity, discipline, and unmatched courage, has been unjustly maligned. The derogatory comments made by Minister Vijay Shah are not only unpardonable but have clearly been aimed at Colonel Qureshi, cloaked in innuendo.”
The Court further ruled that Shah’s speech constitutes a prima facie offence under Section 152 of the BNS, which criminalizes any speech or act that threatens the sovereignty, unity, or integrity of India.
The bench remarked:
“The Minister’s statement has the potential to promote separatist sentiments, thereby endangering national integrity. This is a grave offence under Section 152 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita.”
Additionally, the Court noted that the comments carry communal overtones, particularly targeting Colonel Qureshi for her religious identity. The Court found that Shah’s remarks created an impression that even individuals serving the nation selflessly could be vilified based solely on their faith.
In this regard, the Court also found prima facie grounds for invoking Section 197 of the BNS, which deals with speech or publication that incites disharmony or hatred between communities based on religion, race, caste, language, or region.
“The remark made has the tendency to foster ill-will between communities and reflects an attempt to divide, rather than unify,” the bench stated.
FIR Ordered, Compliance Demanded Within Hours
The matter was taken up suo motu by the Court following widespread coverage of the incident in both print and digital media. Reports were carried by major newspapers including Patrika (14 May 2025), Dainik Bhaskar (Jabalpur Edition), and Nayi Duniya, as well as a widely circulated video of the event on YouTube.
Justice Sreedharan, expressing deep concern over the gravity of the situation, directed the Advocate General (AG) to immediately forward the court’s order to the office of the Director General of Police (DGP). When the AG requested more time to act on the order, the Court firmly denied the request.
In a sharp oral observation, Justice Sreedharan remarked:
“Register [the FIR], register right now. I may not be alive tomorrow. I am giving you four hours. Let the Supreme Court stay this order, or let it be complied with by tomorrow.”
The AG’s attempt to argue that the Court’s order was primarily based on media interpretation was also brushed aside, with the Court indicating that the matter was too serious to be delayed or downplayed.
Background of the Controversial Statement
The controversy erupted following Shah’s public remarks referencing Operation Sindoor. Speaking at the event, he said:
“Jinhoon ney humari betiyoon ki sindoor ujadney the, hum ney unki behen bhej kar ke unki aisi ki taisi karwai.”
(Translation: Those who wiped the sindoor (symbol of marriage) off the foreheads of our daughters — we sent their sister to settle the score.)
Though he did not explicitly name Colonel Qureshi, the statement was widely interpreted as a reference to her, given her prominent role in the Operation Sindoor briefings. The Court concluded that the innuendo clearly pointed to Qureshi, and therefore, legal action was warranted.
Next Steps
The Court has listed the matter for further hearing tomorrow. Meanwhile, all eyes are now on the Madhya Pradesh Police to see how quickly they act on the court’s direction, and whether this case marks a turning point in how hate speech and communal innuendos by public officials are addressed by the judiciary.
