MP High Court directs immediate FIR against BJP Minister for offensive remarks against Col Sofiya Qureshi, citing threat to national integrity and communal harmony.
MP HC ORDERS FIR AGAINST MINISTER FOR GUTTER LANGUAGE
Case in News
MP HC orders FIR against Minister for gutter language by slamming derogatory remarks on Col Sofiya Qureshi.
Case Name: In Re : Suo Motu vs State of Madhya Pradesh & Kunwar Vijay Shah
Case Overview
In a suo motu action the Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered the immediate registration of an FIR against BJP leader and State Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for his objectionable remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi . A division bench comprising Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Anuradha Shukla described Shah’s statement calling Col Qureshi a “sister of terrorists” as derogatory,dangerous and “language of the gutters .”
The Court strongly condemned the minister’s comments stating they not only insulted an individual officer but also maligned the armed forces as a whole. The remarks followed Col Qureshi’s public representation of Operation Sindoor a counter-terrorism initiative led by the Indian Air Force .
Key Aspects
The bench found Shah’s statement legally offensive and communally provocative .
- Suo motu action taken based on media and video evidence .
- Statement made against Col Qureshi, a Muslim officer of Indian Air Force .
- Court termed remarks as threatening to national unity and harmony .
- Directed DGP to register FIR within 4 hours warning contempt action .
Legal Insights
Court held prima facie offences under multiple sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 :
- Section 152 BNS : Acts endangering sovereignty and unity .
- Section 196(1)(b) BNS : Provoking disharmony between religious groups .
- Section 197 BNS : Promoting hatred between communities via assertions or appeals .
Court’s Verdict
The High Court ordered the DGP to register the FIR immediately and warned of contempt action for non-compliance . The matter is listed for further hearing .
Source – MP HIGH COURT
Read also– FIR
