BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh government has decided not to grant sanction to prosecute senior cabinet minister Kunwar Vijay Shah over his controversial remarks about Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who came to prominence during media briefings on Operation Sindoor.
The state government has prepared a five-point response explaining its decision, which is expected to be submitted to the Supreme Court in the coming days after being reviewed by legal experts, the chief secretary and the Chief Minister’s Office.
The state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, decided on August 25 against granting sanction for prosecution. The recommendation was subsequently sent to Governor Mangubhai Patel, who approved it late Monday.
The government’s response, prepared following the governor’s approval, maintains that no individual had come forward to file a complaint against Shah over his remarks. It also argues that Shah did not specifically name Colonel Qureshi in his statement, later apologised several times and had no intention of insulting anyone.
Government Says Remarks Did Not Disturb Communal Harmony
The state government has further argued that Shah’s comments neither disturbed communal harmony nor were made with any such intention.
The development comes days after Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj, appearing for the Madhya Pradesh government, told a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant that the Special Investigation Team had completed its probe. He said a chargesheet would be filed once the required sanction for prosecution was granted by the competent authority.
Shah faced widespread criticism after a video surfaced in May 2025 showing him making objectionable remarks about Colonel Qureshi. Taking suo motu cognisance of the matter, the Madhya Pradesh High Court strongly criticised the minister, describing his language as “language of the gutters”, and directed the police to register an FIR against him on charges related to promoting enmity and hatred.
On May 28, 2025, the Supreme Court ordered the closure of proceedings before the high court, stating that it would examine the matter itself. The court also sought a status report from the SIT constituted by the Madhya Pradesh government.
Following widespread condemnation over his remarks, Shah expressed regret. However, on July 28, the Supreme Court reprimanded the minister for failing to place a public apology on record over his comments about Colonel Qureshi. The court warned that he was “testing the court’s patience”.
Shah subsequently issued repeated apologies for his remarks.
