New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday (May 16) adjourned to May 19 hearing on a plea filed by Madhya Pradesh minister Kunwar Vijay Shah seeking stay on a First Information Report (FIR) registered against him over his alleged remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who briefed the media along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh on ‘Operation Sindoor’ on May 7.
A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh adjourned the hearing to Monday.
Shah moved apex court against High Court order
Shah moved the apex court on Thursday morning against the Madhya Pradesh High Court order directing registration of FIR against him over his statement calling Colonel Sophia Qureshi a “sister of terrorists”. His counsel on Thursday mentioned the matter before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai for urgent listing of the matter.
A person holding a constitutional office should be responsible, apex court said on Thursday
The bench, while refusing urgent hearing on Shah’s plea, reprimanded the minister for his statement, saying a person holding a constitutional office should be responsible.
“A Person holding such an office is expected to exercise a degree of restraint. Every sentence uttered by a minister has to be with responsibility. When this country is going through such a situation, such person has to know what he is saying,” the CJI-headed bench said.
The CJI-headed bench was informed by the counsel representing Shah on Thursday that an FIR against Shah has been registered and sought no coercive action against him till he is heard. The bench was further submitted that Shah has apologised for his statement, which was widely misunderstood and it was taken out of context by the media.
The bench later told Shah’s counsel to go to the High Court and said that his plea would be heard on Friday.
FIR was registered against Shah after High Court took suo motu cognisance of Shah’s statement
An FIR against Shah was registered after the High Court took suo motu cognisance of Shah’s statement and ordered for registration of FIR against him on the charge of promoting enmity and hatred for passing “scurrilous” remarks and using “language of the gutters” against Colonel Sofia Qureshi.
What did the High Court say?
“The armed forces, perhaps the last institution existing in this country, reflecting integrity, industry, discipline, sacrifice, selflessness, character, honour and indomitable courage with which any citizen of this country who values the same can identify themselves with, has been targeted by Mr. Vijay Shah who has used the language of the gutters against Col Sofia Qureshi,” the High Court order said.
The High Court, which further heard the matter on Thursday, slammed the police over the FIR registered against Shah and termed it “gross subterfuge” on the state’s part. It further said that it would monitor the case without interfering in the investigation. It would further hear the matter on June 16.
