NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Thursday slammed MP minister Vijay Shah for his disparaging remarks aimed at Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who had briefed the media along with foreign secretary Vikram Misri and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh on ‘Operation Sindoor’.
When Shah’s counsel Vibha D Makhija sought urgent hearing of his petition questioning high court’s suo motu order directing registration of FIR against the minister, a bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih asked whether such a comment behoves the constitutional post held by the petitioner.
“When the country is going through a situation, he (Shah) should have been more careful in his speech. Persons holding constitutional office are expected to observe certain standards and exercise restraint in their public speeches,” the bench said.
When Makhija sought stay of the HC order directing registration of FIR against Shah, the bench asked, “Why should he not approach the HC under Article 226 of the Constitution? Just because someone is a minister, should we entertain his petition under Article 32?”
With persuasion, the bench agreed to list the petition for hearing on Monday but squarely refused to stay the HC order, saying nothing will happen between today and Monday. Makhija said the minister’s remarks were over-hyped by the media and that Shah has apologised publicly for remarks. In a video message on X, Shah had said he was “not only ashamed and saddened by my statement which has hurt the sentiments of every community but I also apologise from the bottom of my heart. Our country’s sister Sofiya Qureshi ji has worked rising above caste and society while fulfilling her national duty”.
When Shah’s counsel Vibha D Makhija sought urgent hearing of his petition questioning high court’s suo motu order directing registration of FIR against the minister, a bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih asked whether such a comment behoves the constitutional post held by the petitioner.
“When the country is going through a situation, he (Shah) should have been more careful in his speech. Persons holding constitutional office are expected to observe certain standards and exercise restraint in their public speeches,” the bench said.
When Makhija sought stay of the HC order directing registration of FIR against Shah, the bench asked, “Why should he not approach the HC under Article 226 of the Constitution? Just because someone is a minister, should we entertain his petition under Article 32?”
With persuasion, the bench agreed to list the petition for hearing on Monday but squarely refused to stay the HC order, saying nothing will happen between today and Monday. Makhija said the minister’s remarks were over-hyped by the media and that Shah has apologised publicly for remarks. In a video message on X, Shah had said he was “not only ashamed and saddened by my statement which has hurt the sentiments of every community but I also apologise from the bottom of my heart. Our country’s sister Sofiya Qureshi ji has worked rising above caste and society while fulfilling her national duty”.
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