MP Police Sets Up 3-Member SIT To Probe Vijay Shah's Remarks Against Col Sofiya Qureshi

A three-member SIT has been set up by the Madhya Pradesh Police to probe BJP minister Vijay Shah's remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.

Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi addresses a press conference in New Delhi on May 10.

Source : PTI

Madhya Pradesh Police on Monday night, in compliance with a Supreme Court order, constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team to probe state minister Vijay Shah's remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.

According to officials, the SIT includes Inspector General of Police Pramod Verma, Deputy Inspector General Kalyan Chakravarty, and Superintendent of Police Vahini Singh.

Earlier on Monday, the Supreme Court criticised Shah for his "crass" remarks on Col Qureshi and instructed the Madhya Pradesh Director General of Police to form an SIT by 10:00 AM on Tuesday. 

The apex court said that the SIT must be led by an IG-rank officer and include a female officer, to investigate the FIR lodged following an order by the Madhya Pradesh High Court. 

Thereafter, in response, Madhya Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Kailash Makwana issued the necessary order to form the SIT, ensuring compliance with the court's orders. 

Senior IPS officer Pramod Verma is currently posted as Inspector General (IG) Sagar range, Kalyan Chakravarty is Deputy Inspector General (DIG) SAF, Bhopal, and Vahini Singh serves as SP in Dindori.

Vijay Shah faced massive criticism after a video, which was circulated widely, showed him allegedly making derogatory remarks against Col Qureshi, who, along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, gained widespread recognition following media briefings on Operation Sindoor.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court earlier rebuked Shah for his "scurrilous" remarks against Col Qureshi and likened his language to that of the "gutters," ordering the police to register an FIR against him for promoting enmity and hatred.

Following the backlash, Shah expressed regret, claiming he holds Col Qureshi in higher esteem than his own sister.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Monday asserted that had the BJP leader been in his party, he would have been expelled for life. "We are proud of our Army personnel. Anybody who equates them with terrorists deserves condemnation. Had such a person been in my party, he would have been expelled for life," the Hajipur MP said, slamming Shah for his remarks.