The Court has stayed Shah’s arrest, but conditioned the relief on his full cooperation with the investigation.

BJP Minister Vijay Shah vs Colonel Sofiya Qureshi Latest News Today: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed BJP Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah's apology as "insincere" and "an attempt to evade legal accountability" for his derogatory remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a decorated officer in the Indian Army. In a sharp rebuke, the Court directed the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising three senior IPS officers, none of whom shall be from Madhya Pradesh.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh issued the directive during a hearing on two petitions filed by Shah: one challenging the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s suo motu order directing the registration of an FIR, and another contesting the High Court’s intention to monitor the investigation.

Ordering that the SIT be constituted by 10 AM on May 20, the Court specified that the team must be headed by an Inspector General of Police (IGP), with both other members holding the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP) or above. At least one officer must be a woman, the Court directed.

The Court has stayed Shah’s arrest, but conditioned the relief on his full cooperation with the investigation. The SIT will be required to submit a status report to the Court before the next hearing on May 28.

Justice Surya Kant, dictating the order, sternly criticized Shah’s conduct. “We are a country that believes in the rule of law. The entire nation is ashamed of your remarks,” he said. The bench observed that Shah's apology lacked sincerity and substance. "Your apology is not accepted. It's a desperate attempt to escape legal consequences," Justice Kant remarked.

The Court also raised concerns over the role of the Madhya Pradesh Police, noting that the High Court had to “re-write the FIR” due to apparent inaction by the state machinery. "When the judiciary has to intervene to ensure fairness, it is an indictment of the administration," the bench noted.

The remarks by Vijay Shah, which included referring to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi as a "sister of terrorists," have triggered widespread outrage. Justice Kant emphasized that such statements, especially by seasoned politicians, must be dealt with firmly, stating, “This is a serious issue for our Armed Forces. Public figures must weigh their words carefully.”

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