The Supreme Court in New Delhi directed to keep the completed investigation report of the SIT sealed in the case related to the controversial statement of Vijay Shah. The court refused to intervene at present as the decision on sanction for prosecution was pending with the Governor.
Madhya Pradesh: The Supreme Court on Monday heard the case related to Madhya Pradesh Minister Vijay Shah's controversial remarks on Colonel Sophia Qureshi. Madhya Pradesh Police's SIT said that the investigation has been completed and the report has been presented before the court in a sealed cover. However, the Governor's decision on sanctioning prosecution against Shah is still pending.
SIT completes investigation, report sealed
During the hearing held in the Supreme Court on Monday, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Madhya Pradesh Police said that the investigation of the case registered against Vijay Shah has been completed. This information was given to the court by the investigating officer and DIG Intelligence D. Kalyan Chakraborty.
SIT has submitted the investigation report in a sealed envelope as per the instructions of the court. However, before filing the charge sheet or closure report, it is necessary to obtain prosecution sanction from the concerned court.
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohan heard the case. The court clarified that after the completion of the investigation, it is for the competent authority to decide whether to sanction prosecution.
Awaiting the Governor's decision
On behalf of SIT, Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj said that a decision is pending at the Governor's level on the recommendation of the state government for sanction of prosecution. He said that the matter has been considered at the Cabinet level and the file has been sent to the Governor for the final decision.
On this, Justice Joymalya Bagchi said that the Governor should be allowed to take a decision in this matter. CJI Surya Kant also said that the investigation report has to be presented before the competent authority.
At present the Supreme Court has not intervened on the issue of sanction for prosecution. The court has adopted the stance of waiting for the Governor's decision.
If approval is not received, closure report will be filed.
During the hearing, the court asked what would be the further process if sanction for prosecution is not granted. On this it was told by the SIT that in such a situation a closure report will be filed.
The court also said that the investigating officer has completed his work, hence there is no need for him to appear in the court again and again in person. After the decision on sanction is taken, the sealed investigation report will be presented before the concerned competent court.
Senior advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for Vijay Shah, told the court that the minister had apologized for the controversial remarks the very next day. The government also requested the court to take the minister's apology into consideration while taking a decision by the competent authority.
The court, however, declined to comment on the apology or the merits of the case at this stage.
Cabinet recommended not to approve prosecution
In the meeting of Madhya Pradesh Cabinet held on August 25, a proposal was made not to approve prosecution against Vijay Shah. After this the Cabinet sent this recommendation to Governor Mangubhai Patel for the final decision.
It was argued in the cabinet that Vijay Shah had apologized several times in public forums and in writing in this matter. On this basis, it was recommended not to grant sanction to prosecute him.
However, the status of the final decision on this recommendation from the Governor did not clearly emerge during the hearing.
Supreme Court has already given strict instructions
The Supreme Court has earlier expressed displeasure with the Madhya Pradesh government over the delay in sanctioning the prosecution. In the last hearing, the court had given strict instructions to the government to follow its order.
The court had earlier also said that there was a lot of delay in apologizing on behalf of Vijay Shah. The court had advised the leaders to maintain dignity and responsibility while giving statements in public forums.
Controversial statement given on 11 May 2025
Vijay Shah had made controversial remarks about Colonel Sophia Qureshi in the Halma program organized in Raikunda village of Mhow, Indore on 11 May 2025. He gave this statement in the context of Operation Sindoor.
After the statement, the matter took the form of political and legal controversy. Madhya Pradesh High Court had taken suo motu cognizance of the case. Later, on the instructions of the Supreme Court, SIT was formed for investigation.
Now the SIT investigation has been completed, while the Governor's decision on approval of prosecution is awaited. Keeping this decision pending, the Supreme Court has directed to take further action in the case after the decision of the competent authority.