JNN, Madhya Pradesh: An FIR was lodged late Wednesday night at the Manpu police station in Mhow against Madhya Pradesh's Tribal Welfare Minister, Vijay Shah, for making a controversial statement about Colonel Sophia Qureshi. Following this, the minister approached the Supreme Court, where he was reprimanded.
The Supreme Court, while admonishing Vijay Shah, stated that a person holding a constitutional position should act more responsibly, especially during a time when the nation is facing a sensitive situation. The court remarked that he should be aware of the implications of his statements.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai addressed Vijay Shah, questioning the nature of his remarks:
"What kind of statements are you making? You are a responsible min
ister of the government."
The CJI also addressed Shah's lawyer, emphasizing that when the country is going through such a situation, every word uttered by a responsible minister should reflect a sense of responsibility. The bench further noted that individuals occupying constitutional positions are expected to exercise restraint.
However, the Supreme Court agreed to hear Shah's petition on Friday, challenging the High Court's order.
MP High Court to Monitor the Case
The Madhya Pradesh High Court, comprising Justice Atul Shridharan and Justice Anuradha Shukla, took cognizance of the matter. The division bench expressed dissatisfaction over the drafting of the FIR filed against Minister Vijay Shah at the Manpur police station in Mhow for making unwarranted comments against Colonel Sophia Qureshi.
The High Court directed the state government to make necessary corrections and scheduled the next hearing for Friday. The court made it clear that it would be monitoring the case.
Petition Filed in Supreme Court
Vijay Shah filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking the quashing of the FIR. In his plea, he also issued an apology for his remarks. The court took suo motu cognizance of the statement made by Shah against Colonel Sophia Qureshi, directing the filing of the FIR.
During the hearing in the Madhya Pradesh High Court, video links containing the controversial remarks made by Vijay Shah were submitted for review.
Congress's Demand
The controversy has escalated significantly, drawing sharp reactions from political parties. The Congress party has demanded Vijay Shah's resignation from his ministerial post. Protests against Shah have been held in several cities across Madhya Pradesh, including Indore, Bhopal, and Jabalpur.
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