New Delhi: In response to directives from the Supreme Court, Madhya Pradesh police has constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe state minister Vijay Shah’s inflammatory comments against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a decorated Army officer who gained public recognition during briefings on Operation Sindoor.
The SIT Lineup
The investigation team includes:
Inspector General (IG) Pramod Verma – Sagar Range (to head the SIT),
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Kalyan Chakravarty – SAF, Bhopal, and
Superintendent of Police (SP) Vahini Singh – Dindori.
This composition adheres strictly to the Supreme Court’s instruction that the SIT must include both a senior IG-rank officer and a female officer, with all IPS officers hailing originally from outside Madhya Pradesh, though serving within its cadre.
A Controversial Statement and Legal Repercussions
The move comes just a day after the Supreme Court rejected Vijay Shah’s apology for his incendiary remarks. Expressing dissatisfaction, the bench led by Justice Surya Kant criticized Shah’s gesture as insincere and performative.
“There is some meaning to an apology… What kind of apology is yours? You want to give the impression that the court asked you to apologise,” Justice Kant remarked, adding that the court would not be swayed by “crocodile tears.”
The controversy stems from a public speech where Minister Shah referenced the Pahalgam terror attack, making communal and misogynistic comments while alluding to Colonel Qureshi. In a viral video, he stated:
“They undressed Hindus and killed them… so we sent a daughter from their community… You widowed sisters of our community, so a sister of your community will strip you naked.”
The offensive nature of his words prompted the Madhya Pradesh High Court to order an FIR, observing that such statements not only risk disrupting communal harmony but also undermine the dignity of those who serve the nation, regardless of their religious background.
Next Steps in the Investigation
The Supreme Court has directed the SIT to submit its first status report by May 28, setting a clear timeline for the proceedings. The case continues to draw widespread attention, reflecting ongoing concerns over the communal undertones in political rhetoric and the importance of upholding respect for India’s armed forces.
