The Supreme Court has extended its stay on the arrest of BJP Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah in connection with the case over his controversial “sister of terrorists” remark against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. The Court also directed the Madhya Pradesh High Court to close the pending proceedings since it had itself taken cognizance of the matter.
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Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Court that, as per the earlier order, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of three senior officers has been formed to investigate the case. The investigation is ongoing, and more time has been requested. A status report filed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Bhopal, mentioned that the SIT visited the site on May 21, collected evidence, seized mobile phones, and recorded witness statements.
The Supreme Court directed the investigation to continue and asked the SIT to submit an updated status report on the next hearing date.
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The bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and Dipankar Datta, was hearing two petitions by Shah. The first petition challenged the Madhya Pradesh High Court's suo motu order registering an FIR against him. The second petition challenged the High Court's May 15 order, which expressed dissatisfaction with the FIR and stated it would monitor the investigation to ensure fairness.
The Supreme Court had earlier formed the SIT with three senior IPS officers from outside Madhya Pradesh to probe the case. It also ordered a stay on Shah’s arrest, with a condition that he fully cooperates with the investigation. Although the Court said it would not monitor the investigation itself, it requested regular status reports from the SIT.
During the hearing, the bench criticized Shah’s remarks, calling them “filthy, crass, and shameful”. It rejected his public apology, describing it as insincere. Justice Kant remarked that Shah’s apology video did not acknowledge the hurt caused to public sentiments and advised him to reflect on his actions and consider how to make amends.
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Background of the Case
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi had been at the forefront of ‘Operation Sindoor’, providing briefings on military actions by the Indian Air Force targeting Pakistani terrorist sites. However, Kunwar Vijay Shah sparked controversy with his statement at an event:
“Jinhone humari betiyon ke sindoor ujade the… humne unhiki behen bhej kar ke unki aisi ki taisi karwayi.”
(Translation: Those who wiped out the sindoor of our sisters... we sent their sister to settle the score.)
On May 14, the Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered a suo motu registration of an FIR against Shah. Subsequently, the MP police booked him under Sections 152, 196(1)(b), and 197(1)(c) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Later that night, around 9:34 PM, Shah posted a video on his official X account, apologizing and referring to Colonel Qureshi as the “Nation’s sister”.
On May 15, the High Court expressed dissatisfaction with the FIR and said it would monitor the investigation. Shah then approached the Supreme Court, which on May 19 stayed his arrest and ordered the formation of the SIT.
Case Title: KUNWAR VIJAY SHAH Versus THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH AND ORS., Diary No. 27093-2025 (and connected case)
