Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel on Monday evening approved the state Cabinet’s proposal to deny sanction for prosecuting Tribal Welfare Minister Vijay Shah over his controversial remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.
The Cabinet had adopted the recommendation on August 25. Patel, who was away in Gujarat, cleared it after returning to Bhopal and holding discussions with Chief Secretary Ashok Barnwal on Monday.
The development came hours after the Madhya Pradesh government told a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohan that a decision on the prosecution sanction sought against Shah was likely to be taken shortly, as reported by Free Press Journal.
The matter relates to remarks made by Shah against Colonel Qureshi, following which the state constituted a Special Investigation Team to examine the case.
Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, appearing for the SIT, informed the court that the state government’s recommendation on whether to grant sanction for prosecution was awaiting the Governor’s decision.
Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that the Governor should be given the opportunity to decide the matter. CJI Surya Kant similarly noted that the investigation report would ultimately have to be placed before the competent authority.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court had taken suo motu cognisance of Shah’s remarks on May 14, 2025, and ordered the registration of a criminal case. Shah subsequently challenged the proceedings before the Supreme Court.
During the hearing, CJI Surya Kant asked the SIT about the next course of action if the required sanction to prosecute the minister was refused. Nataraj told the bench that, in such an event, the investigating agency would be required to submit a closure report.
The investigation by the SIT has been completed, but the case cannot proceed further without the necessary prosecution sanction. If permission is granted, the agency can move towards filing a chargesheet. However, refusal of sanction would result in the filing of a closure report before the court.
The SIT had investigated Shah’s statements concerning Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and sought approval to prosecute him under Section 196(1)(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
With the Governor accepting the Cabinet’s recommendation against prosecution, Shah has obtained major relief in the case. The state government is now expected to file a closure report before the court, citing the denial of sanction to prosecute the minister.
