The Supreme Court on Friday expressed displeasure over the delay by the Madhya Pradesh government in deciding on the grant of sanction to prosecute Tribal Affairs Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah in connection with his controversial remarks against Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. A Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi questioned the state government over its failure to comply with the top court's earlier direction asking it to take a decision on sanction within two weeks.

The Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that the remarks made by Shah were unfortunate and suggested that the minister may have intended to praise Colonel Qureshi but failed to articulate himself properly. However, the CJI Kant-led Bench did not agree with the submission, observing that political personalities are generally careful and articulate in their public statements.

The Supreme Court also referred to the status report filed by the court-appointed Special Investigation Team, observing that the report indicated Shah was in the habit of making such comments. The top court questioned the sincerity of Shah's apology, stating that it was only made after the court took cognisance.

The CJI Kant-led Bench eventually directed the state government to comply with its earlier order and decide on the issue of sanction, while asking it to consider the totality of circumstances. The matter has now been posted for hearing after four weeks.