SC Slams BJP Minister Vijay Shah Over Remarks on Army Officer Col Sofiya Qureshi: “What Kind of Apology Is This?”

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday strongly reprimanded Madhya Pradesh Minister and BJP leader Vijay Shah over his controversial remarks against Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, made in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. The apex court dismissed Shah’s apology, calling it insincere and lacking any real remorse. Justice Surya Kant, during the hearing, said, “Where is that apology? What is that apology? What kind of apology have you tendered? There is some meaning of apology! Sometimes people use docile language only to wriggle out of proceeding! And sometimes they shed crocodile tears! What kind of apology is yours?” as quoted by NDTV.

Shah had earlier sparked outrage after allegedly calling Colonel Qureshi the “sister of terrorists,” a remark that drew sharp criticism across the board. The Supreme Court not only rejected his apology but also ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter. According to Live Law, the SIT will be led by an officer of Inspector General rank and will include members of Superintendent of Police rank or above.

While the court stayed the arrest of Vijay Shah in the FIR registered following the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s suo motu intervention, it made it clear that the apology offered was not acceptable in light of the seriousness of the comments made against a serving Army officer. The bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh, heard two petitions filed by Shah—one challenging the High Court’s suo motu order to register an FIR against him and the other against the May 15 High Court order that expressed dissatisfaction with the FIR.

The matter is scheduled for further hearing on May 28. Last Thursday, the Supreme Court had also refused to stay the MP High Court’s directive to initiate criminal proceedings against Shah and had advised him to offer an unconditional apology to Colonel Qureshi. For context, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, along with Air Force officer Vyomika Singh, was tasked with briefing the media on Operation Sindoor, a strategic military response launched after the terrorist massacre in Kashmir on April 22.