The Supreme Court on Monday slammed Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for his remarks against Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who had briefed the media about Operation Sindoor against Pakistan.
During the hearing of the matter, the Supreme Court said it is not ready to accept the apology tender by the minister. "You are a public figure. A seasoned politician. You should weigh your words when you speak. We should display your video here… This is an important issue for the armed Forces. We need to be very responsible," the SC said.
The Supreme Court said it formed an SIT comprising three senior IPS officers, including a woman officer, who are from outside Madhya Pradesh, to probe MP minister Vijay Shah’s remarks regarding Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.
The apex court also ordered that MP Minister Vijay Shah’s arrest shall be stayed and he has to join and fully cooperate with the SIT. The top court directed the SIT to submit a status report on the outcome of the investigation and posts the matter for hearing on May 28th.
On May 16, the bench had posted a plea of Shah, a BJP leader, for a hearing on Monday. Shah's plea has challenged the May 14 order of the Madhya Pradesh High Court directing an FIR against him for the comments.
What is the case?
Vijay Shah faced criticism after a widely circulated video allegedly showed him making objectionable remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. Col Qureshi, along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, had recently garnered national attention during media briefings related to Operation Sindoor.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court strongly rebuked Vijay Shah for making 'scurrilous' comments and using 'language of the gutters' against Colonel Qureshi. The court directed the police to register an FIR against him under charges related to promoting enmity and hatred.
"On the basis of what has been observed herein above, this court directs the Director General of Police of Madhya Pradesh to register forthwith an FIR against minister Vijay Shah for offences under sections 152, 196(1)(b) and 197(1)(c) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)," the high court had said.
After drawing severe criticism, the BJP minister said he was ready to apologise 10 times if his statement had hurt anyone and he respected Col Qureshi more than his sister.
An FIR was registered against Shah in Indore district later on May 14, following the high court's order.
The FIR was registered under Sections 152 (acts endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India), 196 (1)(b) (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, language, or other similar characteristics) and 197(1)(c) (statement or action that causes or is likely to cause disharmony, enmity, or hatred between different groups) of the BNS.
(With PTI inputs)
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