Fact Check: Supreme Court Rejects BJP Minister Vijay Shah’s Apology for Remarks Against Col Sofiya Qureshi

Claim:

The Supreme Court accepted BJP Minister Vijay Shah’s apology and dismissed the FIR over his remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.

Verdict: False

Full Report:

A viral claim circulating on social media alleges that the Supreme Court of India accepted the apology tendered by BJP minister Kunwar Vijay Shah over his controversial remarks about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, allegedly calling her a “sister of terrorists,” and dismissed legal proceedings against him.

However, the Supreme Court did not accept Vijay Shah’s apology. Instead, the Court rejected it as insincere and called his remarks “filthy, crass, and shameful.” The bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh, remarked that “the entire nation is ashamed” of Shah’s statements.

What Did the Supreme Court Actually Say?

• The Court refused to accept Vijay Shah’s apology, stating that it lacked sincerity and responsibility.
• Justice Kant remarked, “We don’t require your apology. We know how to deal with it as per the law.”
• The bench ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) by 10 AM the next day, headed by an Inspector General of Police and comprising two other officers of SP rank or above, none of whom should be from Madhya Pradesh, and one must be a woman.
• The Madhya Pradesh DGP has been directed to form this SIT.
• The Court also stayed Shah’s arrest but ordered him to cooperate fully with the investigation.
• The SIT must submit a status report on the investigation’s progress before the next hearing on May 28.

What Was the FIR About?

The FIR against Vijay Shah was registered following suo motu directions by the Madhya Pradesh High Court, after Shah made derogatory remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. The High Court also expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation and decided to monitor it.

Analysis:

This fact-check confirms that:

• The Supreme Court has not dismissed the FIR.
• It has ordered a high-level, independent probe.
• The Court publicly condemned Shah’s comments and found his apology unacceptable.

Verdict:

Claim: False
The Supreme Court did not accept Vijay Shah’s apology. Instead, it rejected it and ordered an SIT probe into the matter.