Madhya Pradesh Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s May 14 order, which directed the State Director General of Police (DGP) to register a first information report (FIR) against Shah over his controversial remarks against Colonel Sofia Qureshi.
The Minister allegedly made a controversial remark during a public event in Indore on May 12 without naming Qureshi, which led to a huge uproar and even attracted the attention of the High Court.
Taking suo motu cognisance of his controversial remarks against Colonel Qureshi, the Division Bench of Justice Atul Shridharan and Justice Anuradha Shukla directed the State Director General of Police (DGP) on May 14 to register a first information report (FIR) against the Minister.
The High Court berated the Minister for passing ‘scurrilous’ remarks and using the ‘language’ of the ‘gutters’ against Colonel Qureshi, who recently led the briefings, along with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, sharing details of Operation Sindoor.
An FIR was registered against Shah at the Manpur police station under Sections 152 (acts endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India), 196 (1) (b) (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, language, or other similar characteristics) and 197(1)(c) (statement or action that causes or is likely to cause disharmony, enmity, or hatred between different groups) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Shah later said that he was ready to apologise 10 times if anyone was hurt by his statement. He added that he respected Colonel Qureshi more than his sister.
Noting that the armed forces were perhaps the last institution in this country, which reflected integrity, discipline, sacrifice, selflessness, character, honour and indomitable courage, the Bench directed the DGP to register the FIR by Wednesday evening, failing which, the court may initiate contempt proceedings against him.
The High Court would hear the suo motu case against Shah today.
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