Remarks against Col Qureshi: SC asks MP to decide on sanction to prosecute Vijay Shah in 2 weeks
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Madhya Pradesh government to decide within two weeks on granting sanction to prosecute state minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for his alleged objectionable remarks targeting Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi made in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor.
Shah faced an apex court-appointed SIT probe for "scurrilous" and "objectionable" remarks targeting Col Qureshi.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Dipankar Datta and Joymalya Bagchi noted that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has completed its probe and submitted its final report.
However, further proceedings have been stalled as the report awaits mandatory sanction from the state government under Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with the promotion of communal hatred and ill-will.
"You (state government) have been sitting over the SIT report since August 19, 2025. The statute casts an obligation on you and you must take a call. It is January 19, 2026 now," the CJI observed.
During the hearing, the bench opened and perused the SIT's sealed cover report, noting that the panel had sought the government's sanction to prosecute him after investigating various aspects.
"We are informed that no action has been taken by the state since the matter is pending here. We direct the state of Madhya Pradesh to take an appropriate step for sanction in terms of law," it ordered.
The counsel, representing the state government, said that it had not acted on the SIT's request as the matter was pending here.
"The investigation is complete. The state must now take a call," the bench said, adding that the same issue be decided within two weeks and a report on it be filed.
It also took note of the SIT's reference to certain other alleged instances in which Shah is said to have made objectionable remarks.
It directed the SIT to probe other issues as well and submit a separate report detailing the action proposed with respect to those additional statements.
The CJI deprecated Shah's conduct saying that it was "too late" for any apology.
"It is too late to tender any apology. We had earlier commented on what kind of apology was submitted," the CJI said.
On July 28, 2025, the top court had pulled up Shah for not placing a public apology over his remarks on record against Col Qureshi, saying he was "testing the court's patience".
It had pointed out that the minister's conduct was prompting it to doubt his intentions and bona fides.
The counsel for Shah had earlier argued that the minister issued a public apology, which was shared online, and would be placed on the court's record.
"What is an online apology? We are starting to have doubts about his intentions and bona fides. You place the apology on record. We will have to see it," the top court had said.
It had asked the SIT constituted to probe the statements made by the minister to submit its report by August 13, 2025.
On May 28, last year, the top court ordered the closure of proceedings before the Madhya Pradesh High Court against Shah for his controversial remarks against Col Qureshi and asked for a status report from the SIT.
Earlier, the top court chided Shah and constituted the SIT to probe the FIR lodged against him.
Shah came under fire after a video, which was circulated widely, showed him allegedly making objectionable remarks against Col Qureshi, who gained nationwide prominence along with another woman officer, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, during the media briefings on Operation Sindoor.
The high court rebuked Shah 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.
After drawing severe condemnation, Shah expressed regret and said he respects Col Qureshi more than his sister.
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Nitin Nabin my boss in party matters: PM Modi
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated Nitin Nabin on his election as the BJP national president and declared that the young leader will be his boss in matters related to the party.
Addressing a gathering at the party headquarters here, Modi described 45-year-old Nabin as a "millennial" who belongs to a generation that has witnessed a great deal of change in India.
Nabin was declared the BJP national president at the party headquarters at the conclusion of the Sanghatan Parv, which saw elections to various party posts from booth level to the national level.
"When it comes to party matters, Mananiya (honourable) Nitin Nabin ji... I am a worker, and you are my boss," Modi said.
"Now, honourable Nitin Nabin ji is the president of all of us, and his responsibility is not just to manage the BJP, but also to ensure coordination among all NDA allies," the prime minister said.
Modi said Nabin belongs to an era in which, people heard the news on the radio in childhood and are now well-versed in using Artificial Intelligence.
"Nitin ji has both youthful energy and a great deal of experience," the prime minister said.
The prime minister said under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani and Murali Manohar Joshi, the BJP saw a journey from zero to the summit.
"In this century, leaders like M Venkaiah Naidu and Nitin Gadkari, along with many of our senior colleagues, expanded the organisation. Under the leadership of Rajnath ji, for the first time, the BJP achieved a full majority on its own," Modi said.
"Then, under the leadership of Amit Shah, the BJP formed governments in many states and came to power at the Centre for a second consecutive term. Under the leadership of J P Nadda, the BJP grew stronger from the panchayat to Parliament," Modi said.
