‘What Kind of Language Do You Use Being a Minister?’: Supreme Court Rebukes Vijay Shah Over Remarks on Colonel Sofia Qureshi

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Madhya Pradesh government's cabinet minister Vijay Shah has received a big blow from the Supreme Court over the controversial statement made on Colonel Sofia Qureshi. The Supreme Court not only refused to stay the FIR on the petition of minister Vijay Shah, but also gave him a stern warning to maintain restraint in public life.

'What kind of language do you use being a minister…', SC reprimands minister Vijay Shah for speaking on Colonel Sofia Qureshi: A bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud reprimanded minister Vijay Shah in clear words and said, "You are a minister, holding a constitutional post. Does this language suit you?" The court said that when the country is going through sensitive circumstances, such statements cannot be expected from a leader holding a responsible position.

Vijay Shah's lawyer argued that the media had distorted his statement and his client had also publicly apologised. On this, the CJI said that if this is so, then why did he not go to the High Court first? The court said that there will be no extraordinary harm in 24 hours and the next hearing on this matter will be held on May 16. Till then, there is no stay on the FIR.

Minister Vijay Shah had made a controversial statement about Colonel Sofia Qureshi in a public meeting, which went viral on social media. Seeing the matter getting serious, the Madhya Pradesh High Court took suo motu cognizance and ordered to register an FIR against him. After this, an FIR was registered against Vijay Shah in Manpur police station of Mhow tehsil under sections 152, 196 (1) (b) and 197 (1) (c) of the Indian Penal Code.