The Supreme Court bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Dipankar Dutta has extended the interim order preventing the arrest of BJP Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah in connection with a case filed by the Madhya Pradesh police regarding his remark referring to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi as the "sister of terrorists."

In the previous hearing, the Court had come down heavily on Vijay Shah for making remarks about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, terming them “filthy, crass, and shameful,” while also deeming the minister’s apology insincere. The Bench had further directed the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the matter and submit its report by 28.05.2025

During the hearing, it was submitted to the court that in compliance with the directions, a SIT was formed and submitted its report on 27/05/2025. The report recorded that the SIT visited Raikunda on 21.05.2025 and conducted a spot investigation. The YouTube video, original video footage of the function and transcript of the petitioner’s speech were perused by the SIT. A Hindi transcript of the speech was prepared by the SIT. The mobile phone seized was sent to CFSL, Bhopal and statements of seven witnesses have been recorded so far.

The Status Report also prayed that some additional time be granted, as the investigation is still at its initial stage.

Accordingly, the Court directed that the matters be listed for hearing on 28.07.2025. It further stated that the investigation shall continue and a further Status Report be submitted on the said date. The Court ordered that the interim directions shall remain in force in the meantime. Noting that it was seized of the matter, the Court also requested the High Court to close the proceedings pending before it.

Case Title: Kunwar Vijay Shah Versus The High Court Of Madhya Pradesh And Ors., Diary No. 27093-2025 (And Connected Case)

Advocate For Petitioner(s): Mr. Maninder Singh, Sr. Adv. Mr. Vikram Aditya Singh, Adv. Mr. Ranga Sarana Mohan, Adv. Ms. Yashika Gupta, Adv. Mr. Mayank Gautam, Adv. Mr. Shantanu Krishna, AOR Mr. Amar Pal Singh Dua, Adv.

Advocate For Respondent(s): Mr. Anoop George Choudhary, Sr. Adv. Mr. KTS Tulsi, Sr. Adv. Ms. June G.Choudhary, Sr. Adv. Mr. Varun Thakur, Adv. Mr. Deepak Goel, Adv. Mrs. Tanuj Bagga Sharma, Adv. Mr. Ramkaran, Adv.Ms. Shraddha Saran, Adv. Dr. M.K. Ravi, Adv. Mr. Kuber Boddh, Adv. Ms. Pallavi Malhotra, Adv. Ms. Troeeta Bhuniya, Adv. For M/S. Varun Thakur & Associates, AOR, Mr. Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General Mr. Prashant Singh, Advocate General Mr. D.S. Parmar, A.A.G. Mr. Harmeet Singh Ruprah, D.A.G. Ms. Mrinal Gopal Elker, AOR Mr. Abhimanyu Singh, Adv. Ms. Chhavi Khandelwal, Adv. Mr. Chinmoy Chaitanya, Adv.