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MP Govt Refuses to Prosecute Minister Vijay Shah Over Sofiya Qureshi Remarks
M
Moneycontrol•03-09-2026, 09:44
MP Govt Refuses to Prosecute Minister Vijay Shah Over Sofiya Qureshi Remarks
- •The Madhya Pradesh government has decided not to sanction the prosecution of Cabinet minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for controversial remarks concerning Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.
- •The state's five-point explanation, to be presented to the Supreme Court, cites a lack of formal complaints against Shah, his apologies, and the absence of intent to insult or disturb communal harmony.
- •The Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, rejected the prosecution proposal on August 25, with Governor Mangubhai Patel approving the decision on August 31.
- •The Supreme Court had previously directed the MP government to decide on the prosecution sanction, following an SIT investigation and a request for sanction under Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- •The decision has sparked political controversy, with Congress MLAs planning to meet the Governor, and legal experts recalling a precedent where the Supreme Court upheld a Governor's independent decision to grant sanction despite the Cabinet's refusal.
Key Question Answered
Because the Madhya Pradesh government has denied the sanction to prosecute the minister, the investigating Special Investigation Team (SIT) is expected to file a closure report in the case. Any further legal proceedings or actions will now depend on the decisions and stance taken by the investigating agency and the court.
