Rekha Arya Graft Row: Congress Demands Minister's Immediate Ouster
Uttarakhand Congress seeks Minister Rekha Arya's removal after her husband alleged a Rs 210-crore mid-day meal scam.
The political atmosphere in Dehradun has reached a boiling point as the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) has formally demanded the removal of State Cabinet Minister Rekha Arya. This follows explosive Rekha Arya corruption allegations involving a staggering sum of Rs 210 crore, which have turned a domestic dispute into a major political storm.
Congress Calls for CM Dhami's Clarification
Ganesh Godiyal, the President of the Uttarakhand PCC, has urged Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to address the gravity of the situation. Speaking to ANI, Godiyal insisted that the Chief Minister provide a clear explanation regarding the financial scandals linked to the minister.
Godiyal launched a scathing attack on the state administration, accusing the government of protecting corrupt elements within its own cabinet. He emphasized that a minister facing accusations of such massive financial irregularities cannot be portrayed as a "helpless victim."
A Family Feud Turns Into a Financial Scandal
The controversy erupted on October 16, 2026, when Minister Rekha Arya's husband, Girdhari Lal Sahu, released a video making shocking claims. Sahu alleged that the minister amassed illegal assets through systemic irregularities within the mid-day meal scheme, totaling approximately Rs 210 crore.
However, this public accusation came just one day after a legal battle began between the couple. On October 15, 2026, Rekha Arya filed a First Information Report (FIR) at the Cantt Police Station against Sahu. Her complaint includes serious charges of:
- Domestic violence
- Caste-based slurs
- Forgery
- A conspiracy to commit murder
To support her claims, the minister provided an audio recording which she maintains is authentic evidence of Sahu's conduct.
Minister Denies Claims, Welcomes Probe
Minister Rekha Arya has categorically dismissed the corruption charges, labeling them as "100 per cent baseless." She has publicly welcomed an official inquiry into the matter, suggesting that the allegations are nothing more than a retaliatory strategy. According to Arya, her husband is using these claims to pressure her into withdrawing the criminal complaints she filed against him.
Current Status of Investigations
While the political battle rages over the alleged graft, the state government has taken action regarding the personal allegations. A nine-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by SP (Rural) Jaya Baloni, has been constituted to investigate the domestic violence complaint filed by the minister.
Despite the SIT's focus on the domestic dispute, the broader financial allegations continue to fuel intense political contention, with the opposition determined to see the minister dismissed from her post.