Tech Entrepreneur Accuses Estranged Wife and Chennai Police of Harassment
Prasanna Sankar, co-founder of Rippling, accuses his estranged wife of harassment amid a divorce and claims Chennai police are extorting him. He alleges that Dhivya filed false complaints against him, while she asserts he wrongfully took their son. Tensions escalated following a failed agreement on child custody, highlighting deep-seated conflicts in their relationship.
Prasanna Sankar, co-founder of the billion-dollar HR-tech startup Rippling, has publicly accused his estranged wife, Dhivya, of harassment during their ongoing divorce and custody battle. He also alleges that Chennai police are attempting to extort Rs 25 lakh from him while investigating a kidnap complaint lodged by Dhivya regarding their son.
In a post on X, Sankar expressed that he feels pursued by Chennai law enforcement due to his wife’s complaint, claiming they are tracking him illegally without a formal FIR. He alleged that his wife initiated the divorce due to an affair and subsequently filed false allegations against him, including claims of physical abuse and rape, which the Singapore police have dismissed as baseless.
Sankar recounts that Dhivya allegedly abducted their nine-year-old son to the US, which led him to file an international child abduction case. A US court ruled in his favor, and they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) requiring him to pay her approximately Rs 9 crore and monthly support, while sharing custody of their son.
Despite this agreement, Sankar claims his wife violated the terms by refusing to deposit their child’s passport in a jointly accessible locker. This situation exacerbated tensions, leading to further legal disputes with Sankar maintaining he would share custody only after compliance with the MoU. In response to escalating conflict, Dhivya reportedly filed kidnapping charges against him after an encounter at a hotel.
To avoid wrongful arrest, Sankar fled with his son just as police arrived at his residence. He asserts he provided validation of his son’s well-being to the authorities, yet police continued their pursuit. He highlighted that his friend, Gokul, was unlawfully detained without a warrant for assisting him, facing threats that his freedom depended on Sankar’s compliance.
Sankar detailed incidents of police invasions, including seizing a caretaker’s phone and conducting a raid at an Airbnb. He emphasized that a press conference was impending, during which the police and his wife intend to level further allegations against him. In a tweet, he asserted his resilience, declaring, “I’m a survivor, not a victim,” as he highlights the perceived state-sponsored conspiracy against him.
Dhivya’s allegations against Sankar paint a contrasting picture; she claims he took their son from her after returning to India together. Reports claim she has accused him of financial misconduct related to their assets. The Chennai police have labeled Sankar’s accusations as unfounded, countering his narrative amid this ongoing familial and legal dispute.
Prasanna Sankar’s allegations against his estranged wife and the Chennai police reveal a complex and contentious divorce and custody battle, characterized by accusations of harassment, kidnap allegations, and extortion claims. Struggling against what he perceives as injustice, Sankar’s narrative emphasizes his determination as he navigates through legal and personal turmoil. Meanwhile, Dhivya’s contrasting claims, along with police denials of wrongdoing, underscore the challenges of navigating such family conflicts in the public eye.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
