Indore/Bhopal: An FIR was registered against Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah in Indore district on Wednesday night for allegedly making objectionable remarks against Colonel Sofia Qureshi, following the orders of the High Court, an official said.
In a post on X, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said instructions were given to take action against Minister Shah following the orders of the HC.
A police officer said that on the orders of the High Court, an FIR has been registered at the Manpur police station.
The court observed that the minister’s remarks prima facie attracted provisions under Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a senior Indian Army officer, had conducted press briefings alongside foreign secretary Vikram Misri and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, providing updates on Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
Superintendent of Police (rural) Hitika Vasal confirmed to PTI that the FIR has been registered.
The FIR has been registered under sections 152 (an act endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India), 196 (1) (B) (an act hurting the mutual harmony between different communities, which causes or is likely to cause a breach of public peace) and 197 (1) (C) (speaking about a member of a community, which hurts the mutual harmony between different communities).
On Wednesday, Madhya Pradesh BJP president VD Sharma addressed the controversy, saying that the party has taken note of the minister’s remarks and issued a warning.
After outrage erupted over Shah’s comment, the minister said that if anyone is hurt by his words, he is ready to apologise 10 times. He had also said that he respects Colonel Qureshi more than his sister, according to PTI.
