Lambasting Madhya Pradesh minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for his objectionable comments against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, the Supreme Court on Monday observed that the "entire nation is ashamed of" Shah's remarks. Refusing to accept Shah's "artificial" apology tendered only to "wriggle out of the matter", the top court said that Shah "must face the consequences for what he has done".
Significantly, the SC constituted a three-member special investigation team (SIT) to investigate the FIR registered by the Madhya Pradesh police on the directions of the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The high court had last week taken suo motu cognisance of Shah's remarks against Colonel Qureshi calling her a "sister of terrorists". The SIT will comprise of IPS officers, including a woman officer. A division bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh directed the Director General of Police (DGP) Madhya Pradesh to constitute an SIT of three senior IPS officers of Madhya Pradesh cadre by 10 am Tuesday. The bench clarified that the IPS officers should be from outside MP. The SIT will be headed by an officer not below the rank of Inspector General. And the other two members would be of the rank of Superintendent of Police and above, the bench ordered.
Speaking for the bench, Justice Kant said that the investigation of this case is a "litmus test" for the state of Madhya Pradesh. The bench also added that although it would generally refrain from monitoring an investigation but given the "peculiar facts and circumstances of the (instant) case" the SIT has been directed to submit the outcome of its investigation to the apex court. The first status report, the bench ordered, shall be submitted by the SIT to the top court by May 28. The bench said that it will "keep a very close watch" on the investigation.
Meanwhile, the SC stayed Shah's arrest and ordered him to join and "fully cooperate" with the investigation.
Before passing the order, the bench came down heavily on Shah for his "crass remarks". Speaking for the bench, Justice Kant orally remarked the "kind of crass remarks" Shah has made are "completely thoughtless". Justice Kant said that the bench has perused Shah's video passing the objectionable remarks. The senior SC judge said that Shah was at "the verge of using very filthy, abusive language". Justice Kant said that Shah perhaps stopped because he could not find the right word.
( Originally published on May 19, 2025 )
Significantly, the SC constituted a three-member special investigation team (SIT) to investigate the FIR registered by the Madhya Pradesh police on the directions of the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The high court had last week taken suo motu cognisance of Shah's remarks against Colonel Qureshi calling her a "sister of terrorists". The SIT will comprise of IPS officers, including a woman officer. A division bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh directed the Director General of Police (DGP) Madhya Pradesh to constitute an SIT of three senior IPS officers of Madhya Pradesh cadre by 10 am Tuesday. The bench clarified that the IPS officers should be from outside MP. The SIT will be headed by an officer not below the rank of Inspector General. And the other two members would be of the rank of Superintendent of Police and above, the bench ordered.
Speaking for the bench, Justice Kant said that the investigation of this case is a "litmus test" for the state of Madhya Pradesh. The bench also added that although it would generally refrain from monitoring an investigation but given the "peculiar facts and circumstances of the (instant) case" the SIT has been directed to submit the outcome of its investigation to the apex court. The first status report, the bench ordered, shall be submitted by the SIT to the top court by May 28. The bench said that it will "keep a very close watch" on the investigation.
Meanwhile, the SC stayed Shah's arrest and ordered him to join and "fully cooperate" with the investigation.
Before passing the order, the bench came down heavily on Shah for his "crass remarks". Speaking for the bench, Justice Kant orally remarked the "kind of crass remarks" Shah has made are "completely thoughtless". Justice Kant said that the bench has perused Shah's video passing the objectionable remarks. The senior SC judge said that Shah was at "the verge of using very filthy, abusive language". Justice Kant said that Shah perhaps stopped because he could not find the right word.
( Originally published on May 19, 2025 )
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