Supreme Court Dismisses Congress Leader Jaya Thakur's Plea For Sacking Kunwar Vijay Shah For Derogatory Remarks Against Col. Sofia Quraishi

The Supreme Court, today, dismissed the petition filed by Congress Leader, Dr. Jaya Thakur, to remove Kunwar Vijay Shah, Minister of Tribal Affairs in Madhya Pradesh from ministerial position for violation of oath taken under Article 164(3) of the Constitution by making alleged communally charged and derogatory remarks against IAF officer Col. Sofia Quraishi.

The Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, while dismissing the petition, said, "Don't file this kind of petition before us."

Earlier, the Supreme Court directed the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the FIR lodged against Madhya Pradesh Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for his alleged derogatory remarks against Indian Army officer Colonel Sofia Qureshi.

With regard to the public apology to be issued by Shah, the Bench remarked, "This man is testing our patience... This was the statement made by him on the first date…where is that public apology by him?"

Senior Advocate K Parmeswar, appearing for Shah, informed the Court that the statement of Shah has been recorded by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).

Justice Kant asked Parmeswar, “What do you mean your statement has been recorded…in fact, when we issued notice, what were the statements made by you… What do you mean by apology like this? This man is testing our patience. This was the statement made by him on the first date…where is that public apology by him?”

Parmeswar said that Shah will put the public apology on record.

Later, Justice Kant asked one of the members of the SIT about the time required by the SIT to analyse and apprise the outcome of the investigation.

The SIT member replied to the Court that they have ninety days to complete the investigation and that the same would end on August 13, 2025.

“SIT comprising three IPS officers was constituted...one of the members is present in the Court. Though he is having sealed envelopes to apprise us about steps taken by the SIT towards completion of the investigation…he points out that statements of twenty seven persons have been recorded during the investigation and certain video clips have also been examined…”, the Court recorded in its order.

The Court also recorded in its order that SIT would analyse the material gathered so far and take investigation to the logical conclusion before the statutory limit of ninety days.

It was also ordered that one of the members of SIT shall remain present in Court, along with a status report.

Later, the Court suggested that the SIT shall make a comprehensive report.

Case Background

On May 15, 2025, when the matter was mentioned before the Bench of the Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih, the Bench had remarked, "When this country is undergoing such a situation, every sentence or word uttered by a minister has to be with a sense of responsibility.”

During an event, the Minister described Col. Quraishi as the “sister of the terrorists” allegedly responsible for the Pahalgam incident that claimed the lives of 26 Indian civilians. He further remarked that Prime Minister Modi had “dispatched the terrorists’ sister to deal with them. The High Court had noted that the Minister used “scurrilous and unwarranted language” against the officer, prompting the suo motu exercise of its contempt jurisdiction.

In its order, the Madhya Pradesh High Court had observed that the statements made by Shah were not only inappropriate but had the potential to undermine the morale and dignity of the armed forces, particularly a serving officer who was carrying out her official duties. “The armed forces… reflecting integrity, industry, discipline, sacrifice, selflessness, character, honour and indomitable courage… has been targeted by Mr. Vijay Shah who has used the language of the gutters against Col. Sofia Quraishi", the High Court added.

The High Court recorded that the comments targeted Col. Qureshi personally and professionally, and that the statements appeared to be made with the intent to politicize a military operation and discredit the Indian Army’s communications. Observing that such statements could amount to criminal contempt under Section 2(c) of the Contempt of Courts Act, the Court issued notice and initiated suo motu proceedings.

Cause Title: Kunwar Vijay Shah v. High Court of Madhya Pradesh & Ors (SLP(Crl) No. 8449/2025)

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