New Delhi: Days after the Supreme Court expressed displeasure over comments made by Madhya Pradesh Forest Minister Vijay Shah against Colonel Sofia Qureshi of the Indian Army, the Madhya Pradesh Government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Monday to probe the matter
The three-member team formed by the state government includes DIG SAF Kalyan Chakraborty, Sagar Division IG Pramod Verma, and Dindori SP Vahini Singh. The apex court had earlier said that the matter should be probed by IPS officers. In its order, the top court had also said that the probe team must include an IPS officer and that the officers must also not have any direct connection with Madhya Pradesh.
Vijay Shah’s controversial statement on Col Qureshi
Earlier, State Forest Minister Vijay Shah had given a controversial statement about Colonel Qureshi, a video of which had gone viral on social media. The viral video led to widespread anger and protests. During the hearing, the court slammed the minister, saying that while he did not think before commenting, he started apologising later. “We do not want your apology. Now we will deal with it according to the law,” the Supreme Court said.
Shah came under fire after a video showed him making objectionable comments against Colonel Qureshi, who recently got nationwide prominence along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, during press briefings on Operation Sindoor.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court had also rebuked the minister for passing such comments against Colonel Qureshi and ordered the police to file an FIR against him on the charge of promoting hatred. The minister had later expressed regret over his remark and said he respected the army officer.
