The Supreme Court on Monday refused to accept the apology of Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah for his derogatory remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a decorated officer of the Indian Army.
Instead, the top court ordered a fresh probe by a three-member IPS team, including a woman officer. The investigation must be completed by May 28, the court said.
The bench, led by Justice Surya Kant, came down heavily on Shah, calling his apology “insincere” and “crass.” He questioned the timing and tone of the minister’s words, pointing out that Shah only acted remorseful after the matter reached the top court.
It means no one, not even ministers, can speak lightly or insult those in uniform—especially not decorated officers like Colonel Qureshi. It’s a message from the judiciary: when politics gets ugly, dignity will still have defenders.
The Case So Far
The controversy began after India launched Operation Sindoor, a cross-border strike against terror camps. During a public speech, Vijay Shah made a communal remark targeting a woman officer from the same community as people living in Pakistan.
Without directly naming her, he implied that Colonel Qureshi—a proud face of the operation—was a “sister of the terrorists” and mocked the idea of sending her to strip Pakistan “naked.”
The backlash was swift. From Opposition leaders to Army veterans and even BJP insiders, many condemned the statement. The outrage forced Shah to walk back his words. But his so-called “apology” only made things worse.
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Court’s Response: Sharp, Unapologetic
Justice Surya Kant didn’t mince words. “What kind of apology is this?” he asked. “You’re not sorry—you’re strategic. This is not remorse, it’s a PR move.”
He also called out the minister for making comments about someone from the armed forces—“the last institution in India that still stands for integrity and discipline.”
The court also made it clear: this isn’t just about one officer, it’s about public trust. And that trust cannot be mocked for votes.
New SIT, New Deadline
The Supreme Court ordered that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of three IPS officers—including one woman—must be formed by Tuesday morning. This team will look into the criminal case against Shah, which was earlier ordered by the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
For now, Shah will not be arrested. But the court warned: “He must face consequences.”
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Shah’s Apology: Too Little, Too Late?
At first, Shah claimed his remarks were taken out of context. Later, when pressure mounted, he said he would “apologise ten times.” In a statement, he praised Colonel Qureshi for rising above caste and religion, but added the classic political disclaimer: “If my words hurt anyone…”
But the courts weren’t buying it. Neither is the public.
This isn’t just another political gaffe. This is about honour, accountability, and the line between free speech and hate speech.
When leaders target women in uniform based on religion, they don’t just cross a line—they erase it. And when courts step in, it’s not just law in action—it’s dignity being defended.
Because if Colonel Qureshi can stand at the border for all of us, the least we can do is stand for her when she’s attacked from within.
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