Uttarakhand news & politics
The latest news from Uttarakhand, where Pushkar Singh Dhami (BJP) is Chief Minister. Most covered in the last 30 days: crime violence, protest opposition, political gaffe.
Minister Subodh Uniyal confronts Daler Mehndi over alleged inebriation at New Tehri fair
On Sunday, October 18, 2026, Subodh Uniyal, a Cabinet Minister and Narendra Nagar MLA, confronted singer Daler Mehndi during the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair in New Tehri, Uttarakhand. Uniyal criticized the performance's quality and decorum during Navratri, alleging the singer was inebriated. A video of the incident went viral on Monday, October 19, 2026.
Minister Uniyal interrupts Daler Mehndi at Kunjapuri Fair, accusing singer of alcohol influence
Subodh Uniyal, a state cabinet minister and MLA for Narendranagar, interrupted singer Daler Mehndi during the Kunjapuri Fair in Uttarakhand's Tehri district on Sunday. During Navratri celebrations, Uniyal accused Mehndi of performing under the influence of alcohol. He demanded Mehndi stop singing to respect Goddess Durga. Mehndi requested Uniyal leave the stage in a viral video.
Dhal Singh Bisen sworn in as Uttarakhand Governor at Lok Bhavan
Dhal Singh Bisen was sworn in as the Governor of Uttarakhand on Monday, October 19, 2026. Acting Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari administered the oath at Lok Bhavan. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, and President Droupadi Murmu were involved in the transition from Lt Gen Gurmeet Singh (retd.). Bisen is a four-time MLA and former Balaghat MP.
Bhandari family demands narco tests for suspects in daughter's 2022 murder case
Virendra Singh Bhandari and Soni Devi met CBI officials at the CBI Headquarters in Delhi regarding their daughter Ankita Bhandari, who was murdered in 2022. Manoj Shashidhar and Sampat Meena promised a fair investigation into an alleged "VIP" role. The family requested narco tests for Suresh Rathore and Urmila Sanawar. Pushkar Singh Dhami, Anil Baluni, and Pulkit Arya were also mentioned.
Special Investigation Team to probe Rekha Arya’s assault allegations against husband Girdhari Lal Sahu
A nine-member Special Investigation Team led by Jaya Baloni will investigate allegations by Rekha Arya, Women and Child Development Minister, against her husband, Girdhari Lal Sahu. On October 15, 2026, Arya filed an FIR in Dehradun for assault and harassment. Sahu countered on October 16, 2026, alleging Arya holds ₹210 crore in illegal assets. Ganesh Godiyal demanded her resignation.
Sunil Kumar arrested for allegedly killing associate over Rs 10,000 debt in Chamoli
Chamoli police arrested 28-year-old Sunil Kumar for the alleged murder of his associate, Sumit Kumar, over a Rs 10,000 debt. On October 15, Sunil Kumar allegedly attacked Sumit Kumar with a bamboo stick in Semi village after an alcohol-fueled dispute. Sumit Kumar died from head injuries. Surjit Singh Panwar confirmed the arrest and registration of a case under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Inaugural Corbett Literature Festival honors forest guards with singer Jubin Nautiyal
The inaugural three-day Corbett Literature Festival, titled "3 days in the Wild," featured 30 speakers including Richard Kerridge, Stephen Alter, Prerna Singh Bindra, Pushpesh Pant, and Raza Kazmi. Organized by the Forest Department, Saket Badola, Subodh Uniyal, and the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, it honored forest guards with singer Jubin Nautiyal. Former director Samir Sinha addressed tourism's environmental impact.
Uttarakhand minister Rekha Arya files FIR against husband for assault and hidden marriage
Rekha Arya, Uttarakhand Women Empowerment and Child Development Minister, filed an FIR on October 15, 2026, against her husband Girdhari Lal Sahu. She accused him of concealing a previous marriage, extramarital affairs, physical assault, and death threats. Shekhar Suyal of Dehradun City registered the case involving forgery and SC/ST Act violations. Investigation is ongoing regarding her safety and minor children.
Uttarakhand minister Rekha Arya files FIR against husband for alleged conspiracy to kill
Rekha Arya, Uttarakhand's Women and Child Development Minister, filed an FIR at the Cantonment police station in Dehradun against her husband, Girdhari Lal Sahu. She alleges assault, casteist abuse, bigamy, forgery, and a conspiracy to kill her. After posting a video on Facebook on Thursday, she was admitted to Krishna Medical Centre. The Congress party demanded a fair investigation into the complaint.
Congress protesters detained in Uttarakhand demanding pause on Dushyant Kumar Gautam's Sikkim appointment
On October 15, 2026, the Congress in Uttarakhand protested outside Lok Bhawan, demanding that Dushyant Kumar Gautam's appointment as Sikkim governor be paused until the CBI probe into Ankita Bhandari's September 2022 murder is complete. Approximately 50 people, including Harish Rawat, Ganesh Godiyal, Harak Singh Rawat, and Pritam Singh, were detained. This followed Rahul Gandhi meeting Ankita's parents on October 14, 2026.
Delhi Police detain parents and leaders during India Gate sit-in over Dushyant Gautam
Delhi Police detained Ankita Bhandari's parents and leaders Supriya Shrinate, Pawan Khera, and Qazi Nizamuddin during a sit-in at India Gate on Thursday. Detentions occurred around 4 am and releases happened around 5 am. Protesters demanded cancelling the appointment of Dushyant Gautam as Sikkim Governor. Earlier, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met the family seeking justice for Ankita Bhandari.
Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi protest Dushyant Kumar Gautam's appointment as Sikkim governor
On Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined the parents of 19-year-old Ankita Bhandari at India Gate to protest Dushyant Kumar Gautam's appointment as Sikkim governor. They demanded a hold until the CBI investigation into her 2022 murder is complete. The BJP government and Pushkar Singh Dhami defended the move, citing previous legal actions taken against three men.
