Vijay Shah remark row: Supreme Court raps M.P. Minister over public apology
A Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said the conduct of the Minister was making the court doubt his intentions and bona fide.
Senior advocate K. Parmeshwar, appearing for Mr. Shah, said he had issued a public apology, which was online, and would be placed on court's record.
The court also asked the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to complete the probe against the M.P. Minister by August 13, and submit a report.
An FIR was filed against Mr. Shah late on May 14 for allegedly calling Colonel Qureshi 'sister of the terrorists' of Pahalgam attack, after the Madhya Pradesh High Court took suo moto cognizance of the matter.
In the May 19 hearing, Justice Kant had remarked that the Minister's comments amounted to 'crass, thoughtless remarks'. The court said there was no point apologising to the court merely to 'wriggle out of a situation'.
'Instead of leading by example, you, a public figure and a politician of experience, do this most unfortunate thing… The sentiments of the people were ruthlessly hurt by your comments. You should have done or said something to convey your sincere regret,' Justice Kant had addressed Mr. Shah's side in court.
(With inputs from PTI)
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