The Supreme Court has directed the constitution of a three-member Special Investigation Team to probe the FIR against Madhya Pradesh Minister Vijay Shah for his derogatory remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi who briefed the media during Operation Sindoor.
A Bench headed by Justice Surya Kant ordered the Madhya Pradesh Director General of Police to constitute the SIT of direct-recruited IPS officers of the Madhya Pradesh cadre on Monday (May 19, 2025).
However, none of the three SIT members should belong to the State. One of them must be a woman. The SIT must be headed by an IPS officer of Inspector General rank and the other two members must be of SP rank. The SIT must be formed by May 20 10 a.m., the apex court said.
The Bench also directed the SIT to submit its findings in a status report to it. The court has fixed the next hearing on May 28.
Justice Kant said the Minister’s comments amounted to “crass, thoughtless remarks”. The court said there was no point apologising to the court merely to “wriggle out of a situation”. Justice Kant said the Bench had viewed the video clips showing Mr. Shah making the remarks, and had even carried the clips to the court.
“If you want we can show them to you here… You seemed to be in the video on the verge of uttering some very filthy, abusive words, but either better sense prevailed for you or you probably did not get the right word and you stopped… Instead of leading by example, you, a public figure and a politician of experience do this most unfortunate thing,” Justice Kant addressed senior advocates Maninder Singh and Vibha Dutta Makhija, who appeared for Mr. Shah.
The court said the Minister had ample time to reach out to the public and apologise sincerely. “The sentiments of the people were ruthlessly hurt by your comments. You should have done or said something to convey your sincere regret,” Justice Kant said.
Justice Kant said a fair and transparent SIT investigation against a sitting Minister would be a “litmus test” for the BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh government.
The court directed Mr. Shah to “to join and fully cooperate with the investigation”, subject to which his arrest would remain stayed for the time being.
The court further questioned the lack of initiative shown by the State of Madhya Pradesh to register an FIR against the Minister or bring him to book. Justice Kant said the High Court had to intervene for the State to register an FIR in the first place and step in again to literally “re-write” the offences listed against the Minister in the FIR. “And till today, what have you done?” Justice Kant asked the counsel representing the State.
Published – May 19, 2025 01:52 pm IST
