Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday sharply criticized Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah for making derogatory remarks about Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, calling the comment a “national embarrassment” and a matter that has “shamed the entire nation.” The court firmly rejected Shah’s apology, questioning its sincerity and demanding a more genuine expression of regret.
Court demands firm accountability
The bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh, directed the Madhya Pradesh government to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) by Tuesday. The SIT must include three senior IPS officers from outside the state, with at least one being a woman. A status report must be submitted by May 28. “We are a country governed by the rule of law, and that applies equally to the highest and lowest,” the court observed during the hearing.
Questionable apology and controversial statement
Shah’s legal team argued that an apology had already been issued, but the court cast doubt on its authenticity. Justice Surya Kant remarked that not all apologies are meaningful, adding, “Sometimes they are crocodile tears just to escape consequences.” The minister had stirred outrage by referring to Colonel Qureshi in a political context, saying at a rally that “Modi ji sent their own sister to take revenge” after the Pahalgam terror attack.
SIT to be monitored closely by court
The court stayed Shah’s arrest for now but emphasized that the investigation must remain non-political and transparent. “He must face consequences. Let law take its own course. We will not allow this to be politicized,” said Justice Kant. The bench called the SIT probe a “litmus test” for the state government and confirmed it would monitor progress closely.
