In a sharp rebuke, the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah’s apology for his controversial remarks against Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, labelling the statement as a matter of “national embarrassment”.
A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh, while hearing Shah’s plea seeking quashing of an FIR filed against him, observed:
“The entire nation is shamed by the minister’s statement.”
The Court directed Shah to offer a genuine apology or an appropriate expression of regret, underscoring that “he should be sensitive before making crass comments.” Justice Kant remarked that mere words of apology could not suffice if they lacked sincerity, stating,
“There is a meaning of the word ‘apology’… sometimes only to wriggle out of consequences… sometimes crocodile tears… what sort is yours?”
SIT Ordered; MP Govt Put to Test
In a move that puts the Madhya Pradesh government under scrutiny, the Supreme Court ordered the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) by Tuesday. The SIT must comprise three senior IPS officers from outside the state, with at least one woman officer. The Court directed the team to submit a status report by May 28.
“We are a country which follows rule of law and it is same for the highest to the lowest,” the bench observed, making it clear that Shah would not be shielded by his political position.
Though the Court stayed Shah’s arrest for now, it firmly stated,
“He must face consequences. Let law take its own course. We will not allow this to be politicized.”
Background
The controversy erupted after Vijay Shah, during a public meeting, referred to India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack and said,
“Modi ji sent their own sister (Col Sofiya Qureshi) to take revenge.”
The remark was seen as derogatory and disrespectful to the Army officer, prompting widespread criticism and legal action.
While Shah’s counsel told the court that an apology had already been issued, the bench questioned its authenticity and demanded clarity.
Calling the SIT probe a “litmus test” for the Madhya Pradesh administration, the Court signalled its intent to closely monitor the investigation.
