Two-Week Deadline for MP Govt After Alleged Remarks Against Operation Sindoor Hero Colonel Sofiya Qureshi

The Supreme Court has stepped in to break months of official silence in a case arising from alleged remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, the Army officer who became a prominent public face during media briefings on Operation Sindoor.

On Monday, the court directed the Madhya Pradesh government to decide within two weeks whether it will grant sanction to prosecute state minister Kunwar Vijay Shah, after observing that the matter had been left unresolved despite the submission of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) report last year.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Dipankar Datta and Joymalya Bagchi, took note of the prolonged delay and questioned the state's failure to act on the SIT's recommendation.

Court Flags Delay in Acting on SIT Report

The SIT had sought permission from the state to proceed against Vijay Shah under Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertains to the promotion of communal disharmony. However, the request remained pending for months.

The CJI pointed out that the SIT report had been submitted on August 19, 2025, and stressed that the law required the state to take a decision regardless of the matter being before the Supreme Court. "The statute casts an obligation on you to take a call," the court observed, noting that more than five months had elapsed.

Counsel for the Madhya Pradesh government told the bench that no decision was taken because the case was already under the court's consideration. The judges rejected this explanation and directed the state to proceed in accordance with law.

Case Centres on Alleged Comments Against a Serving Army Officer

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who addressed several official briefings during Operation Sindoor and drew widespread public attention for her role, is the central figure in the complaint that led to the SIT probe.

The court's order underlines that the responsibility to decide on prosecution now lies squarely with the state government. The Madhya Pradesh administration has been asked to grant or deny sanction within the stipulated two-week period.

By shifting focus back to administrative accountability, the Supreme Court has ensured that the allegations connected to remarks against a serving Army officer are not left in limbo any longer.