The Supreme Court on Monday came down heavily on Madhya Pradesh BJP minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for his derogatory remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, rejecting his apology and questioning its sincerity. The court described the apology as mere “crocodile tears” aimed at evading legal consequences and ordered a high-level investigation into the incident.
Court Questions Sincerity of Apology
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, had recently briefed the media on the military aspects of Operation Sindoor. In response, Shah made a controversial public statement, referring to Col Sofiya Qureshi as the “sister of terrorists.” The remark sparked outrage and led to legal scrutiny.
During the hearing, a bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh said the apology offered by the minister was unacceptable. “The kind of crass comments you made, completely thoughtlessly… We don’t need this apology,” the bench said. It also noted that Shah’s demeanor in public appearances suggested he was on the verge of using abusive language.
The court emphasized that as a public representative, Shah had a responsibility to choose his words carefully. “We saw your videos; you were on the verge of using filthy language,” the bench observed, pointing out that leaders should uphold decorum in their public conduct.
SIT to Investigate Incident
In a strong move, the apex court directed the Madhya Pradesh Police to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident. The SIT must be formed by May 20 and will include three senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, including one woman officer, all from outside the Madhya Pradesh cadre.
The court mandated that the SIT be led by an officer of at least Inspector General (IG) rank, and the remaining two members should not be below the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP). The objective is to ensure an impartial and high-level probe into the controversial remarks made by the minister.
The video that triggered the backlash had gone viral on social media, further intensifying public criticism of Shah’s conduct. The court’s firm stance signals a broader message about the accountability of public figures, especially when targeting individuals serving in the armed forces.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi is among the few senior female officers in the Indian Army, and her role in Operation Sindoor received widespread recognition. The remarks against her have been widely condemned across social and political circles.
