SC Awaits MP Governor's Sanction to Prosecute Minister Shah Over Colonel Qureshi Remarks
· India · Hindustan Times, Times of India
The Supreme Court has decided to await the Madhya Pradesh governor's decision on sanction to prosecute state minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for his remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi during Operation Sindoor. A bench headed by CJI Surya Kant, along with justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, told the SIT that its investigation is complete and the final report will be filed before the competent court the moment sanction is granted. The matter has been posted for hearing after two weeks. The three-member SIT, represented in court by DIG Kalyan Chakraborty, said the sanction is required under Section 217(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Samhita, 2023 (BNSS) for the trial court to take cognizance of the offences. Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj told the court the state government has forwarded the request to the governor and expects a response in a day or two. Shah is challenging a Madhya Pradesh high court order that took suo motu cognisance of his remarks referring to Colonel
Why it matters
The case hinges on whether a sitting Madhya Pradesh minister can be prosecuted for publicly targeting Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, one of the prominent faces of Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. The governor's pending decision — awaiting since August 2025 — will determine whether the criminal trial against Shah actually moves forward.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
Join us on Telegram
Breaking news the moment it lands. At 10,000 members we ship the Android app.