Wed May 14 13:53:58 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**Court Orders Police Case Against Madhya Pradesh Minister for Derogatory Remarks Against Army Officer**
**Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh** – The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ordered the state police chief to file a First Information Report (FIR) against state minister Vijay Shah for making derogatory, communal, and sexist comments about Colonel Sophia Qureshi. The court’s order came after taking suo motu cognizance of Shah’s remarks, which have been widely condemned.
The Jabalpur High Court bench, comprising Justices Atul Sreedharan and Anuradha Shukla, strongly criticized Shah for using “language of the gutters” against Colonel Qureshi, a senior officer who, along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, has been a prominent face of the army during media briefings on Operation Sindoor.
The court stated that Shah’s comments were “dangerous and disparaging” and prima facie constituted offences under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, related to acts endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India, as well as Section 196 of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with promoting enmity between communities and disturbing public harmony.
According to the court, Shah shockingly referred to Colonel Quraishi as the sister of the terrorists who carried out the killings of 26 innocent Indians at Pahalgam. The court noted that Shah’s statements could encourage separatist sentiments by associating separatist feelings with a Muslim individual, thereby violating the constitutional spirit of unity and fraternity.
Shah, the Tribal Affairs Minister of Madhya Pradesh, made the controversial remarks at a cultural event in Mhow, where he stated, “The terrorists had wiped the sindoor of our sisters and daughters, and we sent their own sister to give it back to them in kind.” He further added, “They stripped Hindus and killed them, and Modi-ji sent their sister to return the favor… Modi-ji proved that the daughters of your caste can be sent to Pakistan to take revenge.” Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur and other BJP leaders were present at the event.
The comments drew immediate condemnation from army veterans and opposition parties, with Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge calling for Shah’s dismissal.
Initially, Shah claimed his remarks were taken out of context but later offered an apology, stating, “Colonel Sofiya Qureshi is more important than my sister to me because she rose above caste and community and took revenge. I did not intend any offence. Still, if anyone felt bad, I apologise not once but ten times.”
The High Court has directed the police chief to file the FIR by this evening, warning of potential contempt proceedings if the order is not followed. The case is expected to intensify scrutiny on political discourse and accountability for public officials in India.
First Piper 