Bhopal: The proposal regarding prosecution sanction against Tribal Affairs Minister, Vijay Shah, for his controversial remarks against Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi during ‘Operation Sindoor’, were not taken up in the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
Sources said the matter was proposed to be tabled but was not included in the agenda.
According to sources, the Madhya Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, is likely to file an affidavit in the Supreme Court on or before August 31, when the case is listed for hearing. The Cabinet may take up the matter after the court’s decision.
Once approved, the proposal will be forwarded to the Governor.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to probe the case has completed its enquiry and sought sanction to prosecute Vijay Shah under Section 196(1)(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Government approval is mandatory for proceeding against a public servant, which is why the case has remained stalled despite the SIT report.
The controversy originated in May 2025 when Vijay Shah, speaking at a public event in Mhow near Indore, made remarks widely interpreted as linking Colonel Qureshi — who had briefed the media during India’s anti-terror ‘Operation Sindoor’ — to the “community of terrorists” involved in the Pahalgam attack.
He used language suggesting that “a sister from their community” was sent to avenge the killings.
The comments triggered nationwide outrage, criticism from the judiciary, and political demands for his resignation.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court took suo motu cognisance, describing the language as “of the gutters,” and directed registration of an FIR.
The Supreme Court later constituted an SIT and repeatedly pulled up the Madhya Pradesh government for delays in deciding on prosecution sanction.
On January 19, 2026, the apex court gave the BJP government two weeks to decide. When no action followed, it again directed compliance within four weeks in May.
An office report in July noted that no documents had been filed, highlighting continued inaction.
Vijay Shah has apologised over the issue, attributing his words to “patriotic fervour” and insisting he meant no disrespect to the officer or the Indian Army. However, the Supreme Court has previously questioned the sincerity of these apologies.
(IANS)
