The Madhya Pradesh authorities on Monday knowledgeable the Supreme Courtroom {that a} resolution on sanction for prosecution in opposition to State Minister Vijay Shah in connection together with his controversial remarks in opposition to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi is anticipated shortly.
The matter was heard by a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana. Shah has approached the Supreme Courtroom difficult the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s suo motu order directing the registration of an FIR in opposition to him over his remarks referring to Colonel Qureshi because the “sister of terrorists.”
Showing for the State, Further Solicitor Basic KM Nataraj submitted that the SIT had concluded its investigation and that the sanction proposal had been forwarded to the Governor.
“By tomorrow, we predict…” Nataraj mentioned, indicating {that a} resolution on the sanction was seemingly imminently.
The Bench sought readability on what would comply with as soon as the competent authority takes a call on sanction.
Chief Justice Surya Kant requested the SIT officer who was current within the Courtroom, “Investigation is accomplished. Suppose sanction is granted, chargesheet shall be filed. If sanction just isn’t granted, what’s going to you do?”
The SIT officer responded that, if sanction is denied, the investigating company would file a closure report.
The Bench recorded that the query of sanction was nonetheless pending earlier than the competent authority and adjourned the matter for consideration after the choice.
Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, showing for Vijay Shah, advised the Courtroom that the Minister had apologised quickly after making the remarks and urged that this be considered. “I had apologised the very subsequent day. That could be stored in consideration,” Singh submitted. He requested that Shah be allowed to position his illustration containing his apology earlier than the sanction authority.
The Chief Justice responded, “We are going to say nothing.”
Final 12 months, whereas staying his arrest, the Courtroom had constituted a Particular Investigation Staff to research the matter. After the SIT submitted a ultimate report, the Courtroom requested the State to determine on granting sanction (which is important for the prosecution of the offence beneath Part 196 BNS).
On the final date, Solicitor Basic Tushar Mehta proposed if a lenient view might be taken in direction of Vijay Shah, saying that in all probability the Minister supposed to reward Colonel Qureshi, however ended up saying one thing else as he couldn’t articulate the message correctly. He added that he was not defending the statements of the Minister, which have been described as “unlucky”. The SG additionally clarified that it was his private view, and never the stand of the State of Madhya Pradesh, which was directed in January to determine on granting sanction inside two months.
Case Title: KUNWAR VIJAY SHAH v. THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH AND ORS., SLP(Crl) No. 8449/2025
