‘I’m a public representative, yet I faced this’: Uttarakhand minister who accused husband of assault

Uttarakhand Women and Child Development Minister Rekha Arya revealed on Saturday that she had filed a police complaint against her husband Girdhari Lal Sahu for domestic violence. Arya, who was admitted to a hospital after her health deteriorated, alleged that Sahu had concealed his first marriage, subjected her to physical abuse, verbal harassment, caste-based insults, and even threatened her with death.

She made the decision to go public with her allegations in an attempt to encourage other women to speak out against abuse. Arya faced opposition and media scrutiny, but emphasized that women should not tolerate domestic violence and should have the courage to seek justice, even if it comes at a personal or professional cost. She also expressed sympathy for the family of Ankita Bhandari, whose murder had sparked a public debate in the region.