BJP leader Vijay Shah moves Supreme Court challenging FIR for jibe at Colonel Sofiya Qureshi

Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah has moved the Supreme Court challenging a strongly worded order passed yesterday by the Madhya Pradesh High Court that had directed the registration of a criminal case against him for his controversial remarks on Indian Army officer, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi..The plea was filed earlier today, a day after the High Court’s Jabalpur Bench came down heavily on Shah for using, what it termed, the “language of the gutters” by allegedly calling Colonel Qureshi the “sister of terrorists.”Colonel Qureshi was one of the Army officers who had briefed the media about India's recent cross-border military response, Operation Sindoor, against Pakistan. The operation was conducted in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, which had led to the murder of 26 Indian civilians. Shah had stirred controversy after he reportedly remarked, “Those who widowed our daughters, we sent a sister of their own to teach them a lesson.” The comment was widely viewed as a veiled reference to Colonel Qureshi. .The Madhya Pradesh High Court yesterday took strong objection to Shah's remarks."His comments are disparaging and dangerous, not just to the officer in question but to the armed forces itself," it added.The High Court ordered the police to register a first information report (FIR) against Shah the same day (May 14), warning that it would take strict action against the police if the directive is not obeyed. "To enforce the order of this Court, I will bring hell down, if need be," Justice Atul Sreedharan warned the police. .Madhya Pradesh High Court orders FIR against BJP minister for comments against Colonel Sofia Qureshi.The controversial comment was made by Shah at a public event in Raikunda village, Ambedkar Nagar (Mhow).Despite issuing public apologies, Shah's remark drew widespread criticism, with calls for his dismissal from office. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav confirmed that legal action was taken following the High Court's orders.An FIR was registered against Shah late on May 14. The Manpur police have booked Shah under Sections 152, 196(1)(b), and 197(1)(c) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which address acts endangering national sovereignty and promoting enmity between different groups.Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a senior officer in the Indian Army's Signal Corps, has been recognized for her leadership in Operation Sindoor and her role in modernizing the Army's technological capabilities. She is also noted for being the first woman to lead an Indian contingent in a United Nations peacekeeping mission.