SC orders formation of SIT in Col Sofiya remarks case

The Supreme Court on Monday ordered formation of a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the charges against Madhya Pradesh Tribal Affairs Minister Vijay Shah, facing legal heat over his controversial remarks on Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.

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However, in slight relief to the state minister, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and NK Singh stayed his arrest and asked him to join the probe.

The Justice Surya Kant-led Bench remained unimpressed with Shah's apology and outrightly rejected it.

"He must face consequences. Let law take its own course." The Madhya Pradesh Minister has pe-titioned the Supreme Court against an order of the Madhya Pradesh High Court directing registration of an FIR against him over his distasteful remarks.

Due to paucity of time on Friday, the Justice Kant-led Bench couldn't take up Shah's special leave petition (SLP) for hearing and on the pe-titioner’s request, directed listing the matter for hearing on Monday.

A day before, when Shah’s lawyer sought urgent listing of his SLP filed before the apex court, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai slammed the minister for his distasteful remarks.

"What sort of statement are you (Shah) making? Such a person holding a constitutional office is expected to exercise a degree of restraint. Every sentence uttered by a minister has to be with responsibility," it said.