Remarks against Col Sofiya Qureshi: SC raps MP minister over public apology

The Supreme Court on Monday pulled up Madhya Pradesh Tribal Affairs Minister Vijay Shah for not issuing a public apology over his controversial remarks against Indian Army officer Col Sophia Qureshi, saying he’s testing its patience.”What do you mean by the statement has been recorded. This man is testing our patience. Where is his public apology?” Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi asked.As senior advocate K Parmeshwar, representing Shah, said the apology was available online and would be placed on record, the Bench commented, “That shows his intentions. That makes us more suspicious of his bona fides. What’s so significant about recording his statement? Statements of those who have been victimised should have been recorded.”Asking the special investigation team (SIT) constituted to probe the minister’s controversial statements to submit its report by August 13, the Bench posted the matter for August 18.Shah has challenged the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s May 14, 2025 order for registration of an FIR against him for his nauseating remarks against Col Qureshi.Along with IAF Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, Col Qureshi has been the face of India’s press briefings on ‘Operation Sindoor’ as the two women officers flanked Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in their interaction with the media.The Bench refused to examine Congress leader Jaya Thakur’s petition seeking Shah’s resignation even as it said some of the allegations made in the writ petition about the past instances would be looked into by the three-member SIT ordered to be set up by it on May 19 to probe the FIR against him.The Bench noted that 87 people were examined by the probe team, which was currently examining their statements.In an embarrassment to the BJP, the Madhya Pradesh High Court had in May ordered registration of an FIR against Vijay Shah for passing “dangerous” and “scurrilous” remarks using “language of the gutters” against Col Qureshi.However, after he came under fire for his remarks, Shah said if anyone was hurt by his statement, he was ready to apologise 10 times and that he respected Col Qureshi.