SC notes MP yet to decide on sanction to prosecute minister in Army officer remark case

The Supreme Court on Monday recorded that the Madhya Pradesh government is yet to grant sanction for the prosecution of state minister Kunwar Vijay Shah, who faces allegations of making derogatory remarks about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, the Army officer who addressed the media during 'Operation Sindhoor'.

The court was informed by the state's Deputy Inspector General (Intelligence) that the investigation against Mr. Shah has been completed, with the report submitted in a sealed cover. The file seeking sanction for prosecution is now awaiting a decision at the gubernatorial level, the state said.

The request for sanction was made to the state government in August 2025. During the proceedings, the three-judge Bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, directed the state to comply with its specific directions from a January 19 order, including taking a decision on the sanction.

In an earlier hearing in May, the state had argued that Mr. Shah may have intended to "praise" Colonel Qureshi but failed to articulate his admiration appropriately. The court had previously described the minister's conduct as "unfortunate."

At the May hearing, the Chief Justice had remarked to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the state, that political personalities are usually adept at praising others, and if an apology was intended, it should have been offered immediately. Senior advocate Maninder Singh, representing Mr. Shah, had submitted that the minister had already made a public apology and sought closure of the case.