Supreme Court orders SIT probe into Madhya Pradesh minister's remarks on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi

The top court has ordered Madhya Pradesh DGP to form a three-member SIT, headed by an IG rank officer, by 10 am on Tuesday.

The court has asked to include at least one SP rank woman officer in the panel.

The initial status report has been ordered to be filed by May 28.

The top court was hearing Shah's plea opposing the Madhya Pradesh High Court's order directing a First Information Report (FIR) against him.

The court has, however, granted protection to Shah from arrest.

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai earlier called Shah's comments "unacceptable" and "insensitive" and asked the leader from the country's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to give restrained speeches.

What did the MP minister say?

Speaking at a cultural event in Mhow, Shah, who is the Tribal Affairs Minister of Madhya Pradesh, said the terrorists had "wiped the sindoor of our sisters and daughters, and we sent their own sister to give it back to them in kind".

"They stripped Hindus and killed them, and Modi-ji sent their sister to return the favour. We couldn't undress them, so we sent a daughter from their community... You widowed sisters of our community, so a sister of your community will strip you naked. Modi-ji proved that the daughters of your caste can be sent to Pakistan to take revenge," the minister had added.

His comments were made before an audience that included Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur, MLA and former Cabinet minister Usha Thakur, and several local leaders of the BJP.

The comments were condemned by the army veterans and the Opposition parties. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge had called for his sacking.