SIT to submit report on Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ remarks to Supreme Court

BHOPAL: The three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the controversial remarks made by Madhya Pradesh Tribal Affairs Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah will submit its status report to the Supreme Court on Monday.Shah was summoned by the SIT earlier this month, and his statement was recorded in Jabalpur. He was questioned for nearly 25 minutes regarding his speech during a Halma programme in Raikunda village of Mhow on May 11, where references to Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack, sparked nationwide outrage.The controversy began after Shah’s remarks at the May 11 public event drew criticism for being inappropriate and disrespectful.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court directed police to register an FIR against him. Shah then approached the Supreme Court, where the bench reprimanded him, observing that public figures must think before they speak.The apex court ordered the formation of an SIT to probe the matter, with a clear mandate that it should consist of three IPS officers, including a woman officer.The SIT, headed by IG Pramod Verma and comprising DIG Kalyan Chakraborty and SP Vahini Singh, began its investigation on May 20.

Over five days, it recorded statements of more than 125 people, including event organisers, university officials, journalists, NCC cadets, and senior BJP leaders who were present on the stage that day.Shah himself was later summoned and questioned in Jabalpur. The SIT also examined video footage of his speech and is expected to submit its findings to the Supreme Court on both factual and legal aspects.Amid mounting criticism, Shah has issued multiple apologies.

In his latest video message posted on X last week, he said: “I am ashamed and saddened by my recent statement, which has hurt sentiments. I apologise from the bottom of my heart. Colonel Sofiya Qureshi ji has worked rising above caste and society while fulfilling her national duty. She is like a sister to me.”Shah insisted his words were a “linguistic mistake” and claimed his intentions were never to insult the Armed Forces. Earlier, he was also pulled up by BJP state organisational secretary Hitanand Sharma, who asked him to exercise restraint.The incident has given ammunition to the opposition Congress, which accused the ruling BJP of undermining the dignity of the Armed Forces.