Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, May 19: The Supreme Court on Monday, May 19, came down heavily on Madhya Pradesh BJP minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for his derogatory remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, questioning the sincerity of his apology and terming it “crocodile tears” aimed at evading legal consequences.

A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh refused to accept Shah’s apology, saying, “The kind of crass comments you made, completely thoughtlessly... We don't need this apology.” The court noted the minister's apology appeared more as a strategic move than genuine remorse.

Colonel Qureshi, along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, had recently briefed the media on the military aspects of Operation Sindoor — India's strong response to the deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives.

In a viral video of a public address, Shah referred to Colonel Qureshi as the “sister of terrorists,” a statement that sparked widespread outrage. “We saw your videos; you were on the verge of using filthy language,” the court observed, adding that public representatives must choose their words responsibly.

The apex court directed the Madhya Pradesh police to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) by May 20 to probe the matter. The SIT must consist of three senior IPS officers, including a woman officer, all from outside the state. The team will be headed by an officer of at least Inspector General rank, with the remaining two members not below the rank of Superintendent of Police.

Operation Sindoor, carried out on May 7, targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Punjab province, resulting in the death of over 100 terrorists.