Supreme Court Criticizes MP Minister Vijay Shah Over Controversial Remarks

Supreme Court's Strong Reprimand

On Monday, the Supreme Court reprimanded Vijay Shah, a minister from Madhya Pradesh and a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), regarding his controversial comments about Army officer Sofia Quraishi in light of Operation Sindoor conducted by the Indian Armed Forces. The court dismissed Shah's apology, stating it lacked sincerity. Justice Surya Kant questioned the nature of his apology, asking, 'Where is the apology? What kind of apology have you offered?' Following this, the court ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter. This team will consist of three IPS officers, including one Inspector General and two officers at the Superintendent of Police level, with at least one being a woman. All officers will be from the Madhya Pradesh cadre but should not be residents of the state. The SIT is expected to submit a status report by May 28.

Justice's Remarks on Apology

Justice Surya Kant emphasized the significance of a genuine apology, suggesting that sometimes individuals use polite language to evade consequences or shed 'crocodile tears.' He questioned the authenticity of Shah's apology, recalling that last week, Shah referred to Colonel Quraishi as 'the sister of terrorists,' which sparked public outrage. On May 15, Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice A.G. Masih remarked that holding a constitutional position requires a degree of restraint, especially during sensitive times for the nation.

Legal Proceedings Against Shah

Challenging the Madhya Pradesh High Court's order from May 14, Vijay Shah approached the Supreme Court. The High Court had taken suo motu cognizance of his controversial statement and directed the police to file an FIR against the minister. Shah's lawyer is expected to mention a petition for urgent hearing before the Supreme Court today. Following the High Court's directive, an FIR was registered against Shah under sections 152, 196(1)(b), and 197(1)(c) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The High Court bench had proactively instructed the Director General of Police (DGP) to file the FIR immediately.