Supreme Court pulls up Madhya Pradesh govt, seeks decision on Vijay Shah prosecution

The Madhya Pradesh government is now seeking legal advice on whether to prosecute state minister Vijay Shah. Last Monday, the Supreme Court pulled up the state government and directed it to take a decision on Shah's prosecution within two weeks.

Following Operation Sindoor last year, Shah had made an objectionable remark against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, prompting the Madhya Pradesh HC to take suo motu cognisance and order registration of an FIR. Facing widespread criticism, Shah later expressed regret over his comments and approached the apex court seeking protection.

The SC subsequently constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which submitted its report in August last year. On Monday, the court again reprimanded the state for failing to act on the SIT findings.


Sources told ET that Chief Minister Mohan Yadav returned from Davos on Friday and has since begun consultations on the legal course of action. Shah is a senior minister in the state cabinet, an MLA from Harsud and a prominent tribal face of the BJP.

After the latest Supreme Court order, the opposition Congress has stepped up pressure on the government. State Congress president Jitu Patwari has demanded Shah's removal from the cabinet. According to sources, the government could initiate legal proceedings against Shah in the coming days.