No Arrest For MP Minister For Now Over Sofiya Qureshi Remark Row As SC Extends Stay

The Supreme Court prolonged the temporary halt on the arrest of Madhya Pradesh minister Kunwar Vijay Shah.

This extension pertains to MP minster's controversial statements made against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.

Source : PTI

The Supreme Court on Wednesday extended its interim order on stay on Madhya Pradesh minister Kunwar Vijay Shah's arrest for his remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. 

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri led the briefings after India's counter-terror offensive Operation Sindoor. 

The top court also closed the proceedings pending before the Madhya Pradesh High Court as the apex court is seized of the matter. 

Supreme Court perused the status report submitted by DIG Police which stated that SIT of three IPS officers was constituted and investigations started on May 21. The SIT report stated that more materials have been collected, statements of witnesses recorded and the probe is in the initial stage.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh hearing the matter has posted the matter for further hearing in the second week of July.

The bench refused to allow any intervention in the matter, saying it does not want to politicise the issue. 

On May 19, the apex court chided Shah and constituted a three-member SIT to investigate the FIR lodged against him.

The BJP minister came under fire after a video, which went viral, showed him allegedly making objectionable remarks against Col Qureshi. 

He was rebuked by Madhya Pradesh High Court for passing "scurrilous" remarks and using "language of the gutters" against Col Qureshi and ordered police to file an FIR against him on the charge of promoting enmity and hatred.

Following widespread backlash and severe condemnation, Shah expressed regret and said that he respects Col Qureshi more than his sister.