Uttarakhand minister files FIR accusing husband of assault, fraud and murder plot

Uttarakhand cabinet minister Rekha Arya, who heads the women empowerment and child development portfolio, lodged an FIR against her husband Girdhari Lal Sahu at Garhi Cantt police station on Thursday evening. The complaint lists 13 IPC charges, including sections for criminal conspiracy (120-B), voluntarily causing hurt (323) and cheating (420), together with three clauses of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Arya alleges Sahu concealed an earlier marriage, pursued multiple relationships, and responded with physical assault, abusive language and caste-based slurs when she confronted him, also threatening her and their minor children. She further accuses him of forging her signature to fabricate resignation documents from companies where she served as director, and of plotting her murder, supported by an audio recording of his conversation with a woman. Following the filing, Arya reported feeling unwell and was taken to a hospital, though her condition has not been disclosed.