Categories
The court criticized the State of Madhya Pradesh for its inaction in registering an FIR or initiating proceedings against a Minister, raising serious concerns over accountability and legal compliance.
The Supreme Court has ordered the formation of a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the FIR filed against Madhya Pradesh Minister Vijay Shah, following his allegedly derogatory remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who had addressed the media during Operation Sindoor.
On Monday, May 19, 2025, a Bench led by Justice Surya Kant directed the Director General of Police, Madhya Pradesh, to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising directly recruited Indian Police Service (IPS) officers from the Madhya Pradesh cadre.
The Supreme Court directed that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) must be constituted by 10 a.m. on May 20. None of the three members of the SIT shall be affiliated with the State. Additionally, at least one member must be a woman. The SIT is to be led by an IPS officer of the rank of Inspector General, with the remaining two members holding the rank of Superintendent of Police.
The Bench has instructed the SIT to file a status report outlining its findings. The next hearing has been scheduled for May 28.
Justice Kant described the Minister’s remarks as “crass and thoughtless.” The court noted that apologizing merely to “escape the situation” was pointless. The Bench had reviewed the video footage of Mr. Shah’s statements and had even brought the clips to court for examination.
Table of Contents
If you wish, we can show you the footage here. In the video, you appeared to be on the verge of uttering some extremely offensive and abusive language, but either better judgment prevailed or you possibly misheard the word and stopped yourself. Instead of setting a positive example, you—a seasoned public figure and politician—have acted in a most regrettable manner,” Justice Kant remarked sternly to senior advocates Maninder Singh and Vibha Dutta Makhija, who were representing Mr. Shah.
The court noted that the Minister had more than enough time to address the public and offer a genuine apology. “Your remarks deeply wounded the feelings of the people. You should have taken the opportunity to express sincere remorse,” Justice Kant stated.
Justice Kant stated that conducting a fair and transparent SIT investigation into a sitting Minister would serve as a “litmus test” for the BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government.
The court ordered Mr. Shah to join and fully cooperate with the investigation, and in return, his arrest will be temporarily stayed.”
The court expressed serious concern over the State of Madhya Pradesh’s apparent reluctance to take action against the Minister by filing an FIR or holding him accountable. Justice Kant pointed out that it was only after the High Court’s intervention that the State registered an FIR and later had to amend the charges against the Minister. “And even now, what progress have you made?” Justice Kant questioned the State’s counsel.
READ ALSO….Former U.S. President Joe Biden Diagnosed with Aggressive Form of Prostate Cancer 2025
