Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): A quo warranto petition has been filed in the Supreme Court demanding removal of minister Vijay Shah over his controversial remarks against Colonel Sofia Qureshi, an Army officer.
The petition, filed by advocate Jaya Thakur, senior advocate Rameshwar Thakur and others, argues that Shah’s comments violate oath of office under Article 164(3) of Constitution. The petitioners have sought a writ of quo warranto to declare Shah unfit to hold ministerial office.
The controversy stems from a statement made by Shah on May 11 during the Operation Sindoor event in Raikunda village of Mhow, Indore, where he allegedly referred to Colonel Sofia Qureshi as “sister of a terrorist.”
During earlier hearings, Jaya Thakur had filed a caveat in the Supreme Court on May 28, requesting that no decision be taken in the matter without hearing her side. Advocates Varun Thakur, Vivek Tankha and others also appeared on her behalf.
Petitioners questioned the conduct of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), pointing out that it had informed the court that the FSL lab in Madhya Pradesh lacked capability to examine video evidence. The SIT had sought additional time, raising doubts about the investigation’s intent, they argued.
Petitioners also accused the government of shielding Shah by not seeking his resignation, prompting the court to advise filing a fresh petition—after which a new petition was formally submitted in the Supreme Court.
A three-member SIT was constituted late evening on May 19, following directions from the apex court to probe the incident. Senior advocate Rameshwar Thakur told Free Press that quo waranto petition has been filled in SC seeking removal of minister Vijay Shah.
