The Supreme Court of India has ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate Madhya Pradesh Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah's controversial remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, an Indian Army officer who served as one of the spokespersons for Operation Sindoor. The ruling came on Monday, May 19, 2025, after the court deemed Shah's initial apology insufficient and expressed strong disapproval of his comments.

The SIT will consist of three senior IPS officers, including a woman officer, all of whom will be appointed from outside Madhya Pradesh to ensure impartiality. The Madhya Pradesh Director General of Police has been directed to constitute the SIT by Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 10 a.m. The SIT is required to submit a status report of its findings to the Supreme Court by May 28, 2025.

Shah's controversial remarks were made at a public event on May 13, 2025, where he alluded to Colonel Qureshi as a "sister of terrorists," stating that Prime Minister Modi had sent "their own sister" to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack. While he did not explicitly name Qureshi, opposition parties and the Madhya Pradesh High Court identified her as the target of his comments.

The Supreme Court bench, headed by Justice Surya Kant, expressed strong disapproval of Shah's remarks, calling them "thoughtless," "filthy," "crass," and "shameful." The court stated that the entire nation was shamed by the minister's statement and emphasized the need for public figures to weigh their words carefully, especially when discussing matters related to the armed forces. The court further added that Shah's comments amounted to "crass, thoughtless remarks."

The court rejected Shah's apology, questioning its authenticity and intent. Justice Kant stated that the court did not require his apology and knew how to deal with the matter according to the law. The court also questioned the Madhya Pradesh government's initial lack of action in registering an FIR against Shah.

The Supreme Court has stayed Shah's arrest but directed him to fully cooperate with the investigation. The court has also made it clear that it will closely monitor the case and will not allow it to be politicized. The upcoming SIT investigation has been described as a "litmus test" for the Madhya Pradesh government, emphasizing the importance of a fair and transparent inquiry.

The controversy has sparked widespread outrage across military and civil society, with opposition parties and veterans' groups demanding strict action against Shah. The Congress party has condemned Shah's remarks as "shameful and vulgar," accusing the BJP-RSS of having an anti-women mentality.

Legal experts say the case may set a precedent for holding public officials accountable for inflammatory speech. Sources close to the Army have stated that the institution stands firmly behind Colonel Qureshi, viewing Shah's remarks as an attempt to politicize the military for short-term electoral gains.