Jabalpur | May 14, 2025 — Madhya Pradesh High Court on Tuesday suo motu directed the registration of an FIR against BJP leader and State Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for his derogatory remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a senior officer in the Indian Armed Forces. The bench noted that Shah’s statement, calling Col. Qureshi a “sister of terrorists,” was disparaging, dangerous, and reflective of gutter language, undermining not just an individual officer but the dignity of the Indian military as a whole.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Anuradha Shukla held that Shah’s comments attract multiple provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including:
- Section 152 BNS – for endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.
- Section 196(1)(b) BNS – for making statements prejudicial to religious harmony.
- Section 197 BNS – for inciting disharmony and hatred based on religion.
“Language of the Gutters”
The Court observed that Col. Qureshi, who became the face of Operation Sindoor, was singled out and vilified based on her faith. The bench emphasized:
“The Armed Forces are perhaps the last bastion of integrity, selflessness, and discipline in the country. The Minister’s statements not only demean an individual but insult the entire institution.”
Directives Issued to DGP
The Court directed the Director General of Police (DGP) of Madhya Pradesh to register an FIR by Tuesday evening, warning that failure to comply would invite proceedings under the Contempt of Courts Act. The Advocate General, who requested additional time for compliance, was rebuked by the Court:
“Register, register right now… I may not be alive tomorrow… Let this order be stayed by the Supreme Court, or be complied by tomorrow.”
The Court further ordered that the YouTube links of the controversial video — showing Shah making the statement — be added to the judicial record, countering the AG’s submission that media reports could be misinterpretations.
Religious Harmony and Institutional Integrity
In its scathing observations, the Court noted that:
- The remarks had propensity to fuel religious hatred, particularly against the Muslim community.
- They could distort public perception and undermine national unity.
- Qureshi, a decorated officer performing her duty, was targeted solely based on her faith, which the Court said was both unacceptable and unconstitutional.
Background
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi was one of the official spokespersons during Operation Sindoor, launched by the Indian military in response to a cross-border terror attack in Pahalgam. Her calm and articulate briefings had earned her nationwide respect. The controversy erupted after Vijay Shah, during a public event, stated:
“Jinhone humari betiyon ke sindoor ujade the… humne unhiki behen bhej kar ke unki aisi ki taisi karwayi.”
The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for tomorrow.
