Ministers should be responsible: Supreme Court on BJP leader Vijay Shah's comments on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi

The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed its strong disapproval at the remarks made by Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, the Indian Army officer who had briefed the media about Operation Sindoor against Pakistan..Yesterday, the Madhya Pradesh High Court directed registration of a criminal case against Shah for use of what it called the “language of the gutters” against Colonel Qureshi.While hearing Shah's plea challenging the High Court order, a Bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih today said that the remarks were highly irresponsible especially considering the fact that Shah is a Minister. "Such a person holding a constitutional office should be responsible.. when this country is going through such a situation. [He] has to know what he is saying. Just because you are a minister...," CJI Gavai said. .Senior Advocate Vibha Dutta Makhija appearing for Shah sought for a stay on the FIR that was registered against him following the HIgh Court order."He has accepted remorse and he has been misunderstood..media overhyped it. We seek stay of FIR," Datta submitted. However, the top court declined to grant any stay on the FIR at this stage and instead asked him to inform the High Court that the Supreme Court is now seized of the matter ."We will hear it tomorrow. You know who you are. We know nothing will happen. Just because you are a minister," the Bench said. .When this country is going through such a situation, he has to know what he is saying.CJI BR Gavai.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 in which 26 Indian civilians were killed.Shah had stirred controversy after reportedly said,“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 controversial comment was made by Shah at a public event in Raikunda village, Ambedkar Nagar (Mhow). Shah's remark drew widespread criticism, with calls for his dismissal from office. .The 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 said.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. 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 pertain to acts endangering national sovereignty and promoting enmity between different groups.