In a significant legal development in Uttarakhand, the State Minister for Women Empowerment and Child Development, Rekha Arya, has lodged a formal police complaint against her husband, Girdhari Lal Sahu. The Minister, who occupies a prominent position in the state government, has accused Mr. Sahu of multiple serious offenses, including concealing a prior marriage, engaging in an extramarital affair, physical assault, and issuing direct threats against her life. The case has sent shockwaves through the local administration and the public sphere following the registration of the First Information Report (FIR) on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
According to the details provided in the police complaint, Ms. Arya entered into wedlock with Mr. Sahu, a resident of Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, in July 2004. The Minister states that it was only after the marriage that she became aware of her husband’s previous marital status and the existence of children from that relationship. In her statement to the police, Ms. Arya explained that upon discovering these facts, she faced immense personal turmoil and was advised by her family to consider the long-term future and well-being of her own children before choosing a course of action.
The allegations detailed in the FIR extend beyond the concealment of his past. Ms. Arya contends that although Mr. Sahu initially acknowledged his actions and offered an apology, his subsequent behavior remained unchanged and, in her view, became increasingly abusive. The Minister has alleged that she was subjected to repeated physical violence, sustained verbal abuse, and explicit threats to her life. Furthermore, she reported that Mr. Sahu allegedly used derogatory caste-based slurs in the presence of her staff at her official government residence, an act that has prompted the police to include charges under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The scope of the complaint also encompasses financial irregularities. The Minister has claimed that Mr. Sahu attempted to remove her from director positions in various companies by utilizing forged signatures. Compounding these accusations, Ms. Arya informed the authorities that she recently obtained an audio recording purportedly featuring a conversation between her husband and an unidentified woman. According to the Minister, the content of this recording suggests that the two individuals were engaged in planning a conspiracy to kill her. Given the severity of these claims, the complaint emphasizes the urgent need for protection for both the Minister and her minor children.
The Dehradun police have responded promptly to the high-profile nature of the case. Shekhar Suyal, the City Superintendent of Police in Dehradun, confirmed that a formal case has been registered against Girdhari Lal Sahu. The charges invoked include sections related to criminal intimidation, forgery, and cheating, alongside provisions of the SC/ST Act. Mr. Suyal noted that the investigation is currently in its preliminary stages as authorities work to verify the evidence provided by the complainant.
As the legal process unfolds, the incident has drawn significant attention due to the high-ranking profile of the victim and the nature of the allegations involving both domestic grievances and criminal activity. The investigation will now focus on corroborating the Minister's testimony and the validity of the audio evidence submitted to the police. Law enforcement officials have indicated that they are treating the matter with the necessary seriousness, given the gravity of the accusations involving threats to life and state-level governance. Further updates are expected once the initial phase of the investigation is completed by the assigned authorities in Dehradun.
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