MP Governor Approves Cabinet's Refusal to Sanction Prosecution of Minister Vijay Shah

Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel has approved the state Cabinet's proposal to refuse sanction for the prosecution of Cabinet Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah. The decision relates to remarks Shah made at a public event in the Mhow area in May 2025, which were understood to refer to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, an Indian Army officer who had briefed the media during Operation Sindoor.

The Governor's approval came late Monday night, hours after the state government informed the Supreme Court that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case had completed its investigation and that the sanction proposal was pending before the Governor. Chief Secretary Ashok Barnwal reportedly visited the Governor's residence after his return to Bhopal, and the file was placed before him for a decision.

The Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, had decided on August 25 not to grant permission for Shah's prosecution. The recommendation was then forwarded to the Governor for approval.

The development coincided with a Supreme Court hearing on the matter. The court was told that the SIT had finished its probe and that a decision on sanction was expected. The SIT officer present in court said a chargesheet would be filed if sanction was granted, and a closure report if it was refused.

Shah had earlier approached the Supreme Court challenging the Madhya Pradesh High Court's suo motu proceedings and its direction to register an FIR against him. The High Court had taken cognisance of the remarks on May 14, 2025, and a case was registered at Manpur police station in Indore district. The Supreme Court granted Shah interim protection from arrest on May 19, 2025, and ordered the formation of a three-member SIT to investigate.

The SIT later sought sanction to prosecute Shah under Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The Supreme Court had questioned the delay in deciding on the sanction request, noting the SIT report had been with the state since August 19, 2025.

Meanwhile, a Congress delegation led by Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar is scheduled to meet the Governor to press for sanction against Shah. Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha has cited a 2004 Supreme Court precedent involving former minister Rajendra Kumar Singh, where the Governor had granted sanction despite the Cabinet's refusal. In that case, the Supreme Court held that a Governor normally acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers but may act independently in exceptional circumstances, such as apparent bias or irrationality in the Cabinet's decision.