Supreme Court Sets Two-Week Deadline for Madhya Pradesh Government
The Supreme Court has issued a firm directive to the Madhya Pradesh government. The court wants a decision within two weeks regarding prosecution sanction for a state minister. This case involves Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah and his alleged defamatory comments about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.
Court Questions Delay in SIT Report Action
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant expressed clear concern about the delay. Justices Dipankar Datta and Joymalya Bagchi joined him on the bench. They examined the Special Investigation Team report submitted in this matter.
The Chief Justice pointed out a significant timeline gap. "You have held the SIT report since August 19, 2025," he stated. "The law places an obligation on you. You must make a decision. Today is January 19."
The court noted a specific legal request from the SIT. The team sought sanction to prosecute the minister under Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. This section deals with the promotion of communal hatred and ill-will. The bench openly wondered why this sanction had not been granted yet.
Government's Response and the Court's Order
Legal counsel representing the Madhya Pradesh government provided an explanation. They stated the government had not acted on the SIT's request. The reason cited was the pending nature of the matter before the Supreme Court itself.
The bench considered this explanation and then issued its order. "We are informed that no action has been taken by the State since the matter is pending here," the court noted. It then delivered a clear instruction. "We direct the state of Madhya Pradesh to take an appropriate step for sanction in terms of the law."
Background of the Case
The controversy stems from remarks made about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. She gained national recognition during media briefings for Operation Sindoor last year. The alleged comments by Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah have led to this legal scrutiny. The Supreme Court's order now puts the ball firmly in the state government's court. They have a strict two-week window to comply with the judicial directive.
