NEW DELHI: Supreme Court is set to hear a plea by Madhya Pradesh tribal welfare minister Vijay Shah on Monday, challenging a high court order directing police to file an FIR against him over his remarks about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi , who was part of the official briefings on ' Operation Sindoor '.
According to the Supreme Court's cause list of May 19, Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh will hear the petition. Shah has challenged the Madhya Pradesh high court ’s May 14 order directing the police to file an FIR against him over certain remarks he made.
The Supreme Court had earlier, on May 16, scheduled the plea for hearing on Monday. A day prior, on May 15, the apex court had pulled up Shah, saying that ministers must speak with responsibility, at a time the country is undergoing "such a situation".
A bench led by CJI D Y Chandrachud and Justice AG Masih reminded him that holding a constitutional position requires restraint in public statements, especially during sensitive times like Operation Sindoor.
Chief Justice B R Gavai questioned Shah's counsel stating, "What sort of statements are you making? You are a responsible minister of the government."
"Persons holding such a constitutional office are expected to exercise a degree of restraint," Justice AG Masih noted.
The comments came after senior advocate Vibha Datta Makhija, representing Shah, mentioned the case for urgent hearing. She informed the court that the high court had taken suo motu cognisance of Shah’s remarks and directed police to file an FIR without hearing him.
Makhija added that Shah, the state's tribal affairs minister, had expressed regret. "It was a statement which was misunderstood as well," Makhija had said, "as he never meant what is being made out by the media". Makhija urged the court to stay the FIR, arguing that the minister was not given a chance to explain himself before the high court’s order.
Shah faced backlash after a video went viral showing him allegedly making offensive remarks against Colonel Qureshi, who gained nationwide prominence during recent 'Operation Sindoor' briefings alongside foreign secretary Vikram Misri and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.
Following heavy criticism, Shah said he was willing to apologise “ten times” if his words had hurt anyone, adding that he respected Col Qureshi more than his own sister.
The MP high court slammed Shah for using "scurrilous" and "gutter-level" language, and ordered police to register an FIR against him for promoting enmity and hatred.
"On the basis of what has been observed herein above, this court directs the Director General of Police of Madhya Pradesh to register forthwith an FIR against minister Vijay Shah for offences under sections 152, 196(1)(b) and 197(1)(c) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)," the high court had said.
Subsequently, authorities in Indore registered an FIR against Shah on May 14 in compliance with the high court's directive.
According to the Supreme Court's cause list of May 19, Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh will hear the petition. Shah has challenged the Madhya Pradesh high court ’s May 14 order directing the police to file an FIR against him over certain remarks he made.
The Supreme Court had earlier, on May 16, scheduled the plea for hearing on Monday. A day prior, on May 15, the apex court had pulled up Shah, saying that ministers must speak with responsibility, at a time the country is undergoing "such a situation".
A bench led by CJI D Y Chandrachud and Justice AG Masih reminded him that holding a constitutional position requires restraint in public statements, especially during sensitive times like Operation Sindoor.
Chief Justice B R Gavai questioned Shah's counsel stating, "What sort of statements are you making? You are a responsible minister of the government."
"Persons holding such a constitutional office are expected to exercise a degree of restraint," Justice AG Masih noted.
The comments came after senior advocate Vibha Datta Makhija, representing Shah, mentioned the case for urgent hearing. She informed the court that the high court had taken suo motu cognisance of Shah’s remarks and directed police to file an FIR without hearing him.
Makhija added that Shah, the state's tribal affairs minister, had expressed regret. "It was a statement which was misunderstood as well," Makhija had said, "as he never meant what is being made out by the media". Makhija urged the court to stay the FIR, arguing that the minister was not given a chance to explain himself before the high court’s order.
Shah faced backlash after a video went viral showing him allegedly making offensive remarks against Colonel Qureshi, who gained nationwide prominence during recent 'Operation Sindoor' briefings alongside foreign secretary Vikram Misri and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.
Following heavy criticism, Shah said he was willing to apologise “ten times” if his words had hurt anyone, adding that he respected Col Qureshi more than his own sister.
The MP high court slammed Shah for using "scurrilous" and "gutter-level" language, and ordered police to register an FIR against him for promoting enmity and hatred.
"On the basis of what has been observed herein above, this court directs the Director General of Police of Madhya Pradesh to register forthwith an FIR against minister Vijay Shah for offences under sections 152, 196(1)(b) and 197(1)(c) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)," the high court had said.
Subsequently, authorities in Indore registered an FIR against Shah on May 14 in compliance with the high court's directive.
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