Supreme Court Raps BJP Minister Vijay Shah Over 'Online Apology' To Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, Orders SIT To File Comprehensive Report

The Supreme Court on Monday (28 July) pulled up Madhya Pradesh BJP Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for failing to offer a sincere apology following his controversial remark referring to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi as “sister of terrorists”, LiveLaw reported.

“What do you mean by apology like this? This man has been testing our patience...this was the statement he made on the first date...where is it on record? That (online apology) shows his intentions, which makes us more suspicious of his bonafides...,” Justice Surya Kant told Shah’s counsel.

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi was hearing Shah’s petitions, one challenging the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s suo motu order to register an FIR over his remarks, and another against the High Court’s 15 May directive to monitor the probe, citing dissatisfaction with the FIR.

Senior Advocate K Parmeswar, appearing for Shah, informed the court that the minister was cooperating with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and that his apology would be filed formally by Monday.

However, Justice Kant questioned the SIT’s decision to record Shah’s statement instead of those allegedly affected.

“What is so significant about recording his statement? Statement of those who have been victimised should have been recorded,” Justice Kant observed.

The SIT member present stated that the investigation would be completed before the statutory 90-day limit expiring on 13 August, adding that 27 statements had been recorded and video evidence examined.

The bench ordered, “[The SIT member] submits that SIT would now analyse the material gathered and take investigation to a logical conclusion before expiry of the statutory limit of 90 days. One of the members of SIT should remain present with a status report.”

Another petition by Congress leader Jaya Thakur seeking Shah’s removal from office was dismissed. However, the SIT was asked to consider the incidents raised and include them in its report.

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