The domestic and legal dispute involving Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister for Women Empowerment and Child Development Rekha Arya and her husband Girdhari Lal Sahu has intensified. On Monday, the Special Investigation Team recorded the minister's statement in Dehradun regarding her criminal complaint. Investigating officials also seized key audio recordings related to the case. During the questioning, investigators examined allegations spanning domestic violence, forged signatures on company documents, and the alleged concealment of Sahu's prior marriage.
Allegations Detailed In The Police Complaint
The controversy escalated after Rekha Arya filed a formal FIR on 15 October at the Cantt police station in Dehradun against Girdhari Lal Sahu. The charges encompass physical assault, domestic harassment, cheating, criminal intimidation, and the use of offensive casteist slurs. According to the minister, Sahu entered into marriage with her while concealing details about his earlier marriage. She stated that questioning him about this deception led to physical abuse, verbal insults, and threats to her life. Furthermore, she alleged that Sahu used derogatory caste-based remarks against her in front of staff members stationed at her official government residence.
Husband Denies Claims, Levels Counter-Accusations
Responding to the case, Girdhari Lal Sahu denied all wrongdoing and claimed that the audio recording cited in the accusations was fabricated using artificial intelligence tools. Seeking an impartial investigation, he appealed to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to intervene. Sahu also initiated a sharp counter-offensive against Rekha Arya, alleging large-scale financial corruption. He claimed that the minister holds roughly 210 crore rupees in illicit assets and formally requested an official probe into her financial holdings.
Background And Earlier Controversies
Hailing originally from the Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh, Girdhari Lal Sahu has maintained commercial and political connections across both Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In 1990, he served as a local councillor in Bareilly. Over the decades, his name has surfaced in several high-profile legal controversies. The oldest among them dates back to 11 June 1990, involving the murder of Bareilly businessman Naresh Jain and his wife Pushpa Jain, a case that remains pending before the judiciary. Additionally, a former employee had previously accused Sahu of orchestrating the illegal removal of his kidney. The SIT is currently analyzing the collected digital evidence and statements to determine the next steps in the inquiry.
