Supreme Court pulls up MP minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for failing to issue a proper public apology over remarks against Col Sofiya Qureshi. SIT asked to submit probe report by August 13.
New Delhi: On July 28, the Supreme Court of India has come down heavily on Madhya Pradesh minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for failing to issue a proper public apology over his controversial remarks against Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.
During the hearing on Monday, a bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi expressed dissatisfaction with Shah’s conduct and warned that he was testing the court’s patience.
The court observed that Shah’s behavior was raising doubts about his intentions and sincerity.
The bench remarked,
“You are testing the court’s patience.”
It further noted that the minister’s conduct made the court question his
“intentions and bonafide.”
Senior advocate K Parmeshwar, who appeared on behalf of Shah, informed the bench that a public apology had indeed been issued by Shah and that it was already available online.
He added that this apology would soon be formally submitted as part of the court records.
Despite this, the Supreme Court did not appear convinced and asked the Special Investigation Team (SIT)—which was earlier constituted to investigate the minister’s remarks—to submit its report by August 13.
According to the court, the SIT has already examined 87 people, and is currently reviewing their statements related to the case.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court firmly questioned the sincerity of Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah’s actions by asking,
“Where is the apology?”,
pointing out that he had not issued a public apology as directed.
The Court noted that his conduct was testing its patience and casting doubt on his intentions. Additionally, the SIT informed the Court that
“The SIT member present before us submits that the material gathered will now be analysed and the investigation will be taken to logical conclusion within the prescribed period of 90 days. The matter to now be taken up on August 18. Status report to be filed”,
to which the Court agreed and fixed the next hearing accordingly. Earlier, the Jabalpur Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court had taken suo motu cognisance of Shah’s comments and described them as
“dangerous,” “disparaging,” and using “language of the gutters,”
further observing that such remarks
“stigmatize the Muslim community and threaten constitutional values of unity and fraternity.”
The bench also addressed a separate petition filed by Congress leader Jaya Thakur, in which she had demanded the resignation of Kunwar Vijay Shah.
However, the Supreme Court refused to go into that particular plea. It stated that some of the older allegations mentioned in Thakur’s writ petition would be scrutinized by the three-member SIT. The bench then scheduled the next hearing of the matter for August 18.
The SIT was formed by the Madhya Pradesh government following a Supreme Court directive on May 19, after the court took serious note of Shah’s remarks.
During that earlier hearing, the Supreme Court had criticized Shah and ordered a full-fledged investigation into the matter. The SIT’s formation was in strict compliance with the top court’s order.
Kunwar Vijay Shah attracted national outrage after a video of him went viral. In the video, he was seen allegedly making derogatory and inappropriate comments against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a respected officer of the Indian Army.
Col Qureshi had garnered public admiration along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh for their key roles in briefing the media during Operation Sindoor.
Taking strong exception to Shah’s remarks, the Madhya Pradesh High Court had earlier rebuked him. The High Court described his comments as “scurrilous” and said that he had used “language of the gutters” while referring to the decorated Army officer.
The High Court ordered the police to register an FIR against Shah under charges that included promoting enmity and hatred.
Facing intense criticism from the public, armed forces veterans, and political circles, Shah later expressed regret. In his statement, Shah said,
“I respect Col Qureshi more than my sister.”
Case Title:
Kunwar Vijay Shah Versus The High Court Of Madhya Pradesh And Ors., Diary No. 27093-2025
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