‘Person holding public office expected to uphold certain standards’: SC to MP minister over remarks on Col Sofiya Qureshi

“A person holding such a public office is expected to uphold certain standards. Every sentence uttered by a minister has to be with responsibility,” Chief Justice of India B R Gavai said as Senior Advocate Vibha Datta Makhija, appearing for Shah, brought his petition to the notice of the court.

“Such a person holding a constitutional office should be responsible… When this country is going through such a situation… just because you are a minister…,” CJI Gavai said.

Kunwar Vijay Shah, who is the Madhya Pradesh Tribal Affairs Minister, said at an event that India has taught a lesson to those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack using “their own sister”. While he did not name any individual, the Congress alleged he was alluding to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who had briefed the media when Operation Sindoor was underway.

Speaking at the event in Mau on May 12, Shah repeated his statement thrice.

Makhija said Shah had apologised for the remarks. Justice Gavai said, “Go and apologise to the High Court.” As the counsel insisted that the court take it up, CJI Gavai said, “We will have it tomorrow.”

When Makhija requested that no further proceedings should take place, in the meanwhile, CJI Gavai said nothing is going to happen in 24 hours.

“I am a minister. That’s why I request no further action. Matter is listed in HC today,” said Makhija. To which Justice Gavai said, “We know who you are”.

The court asked the senior counsel to “please go and indicate in the HC that the matter is listed in the SC”, and that the Madhya Pradesh High Court may have already given a date for hearing.

Makhija repeated her request that everybody hold their hands until the apex court hears the matter Friday.

A day before, the Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered an FIR against Kunwar Vijay Shah for his remarks seen as directed against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. The division bench, comprising Justices Atul Sreedharan and Anuradha Shukla, said in oral observation that Shah’s comments were “cancerous and dangerous” and “disparaging”.

The First Information Report against Shah was lodged Wednesday night.

After Shah’s comments were shared widely on social media platforms, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also pulled his minister and advised him on “how to conduct himself in public”. The minister was also summoned to the BJP state headquarters, where party general secretary (organisation) Hitanand Sharma met him.