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The escalating legal battle between Prasanna Sankar, the co-founder of the $10 billion tech firm Rippling, and his estranged wife, Dhivya Sashidhar, has become a complex and contentious case involving serious allegations from both sides. What began as a divorce dispute has rapidly spiraled into a high-stakes clash marked by accusations of child abduction, police harassment, extortion, and even sexual misconduct. The case highlights the intense personal and legal challenges that can arise amidst high-profile divorces, particularly when significant wealth and international jurisdictions are involved. Prasanna Sankar, an Indian entrepreneur based in Singapore, is the co-founder of Rippling, a workforce management software company that has achieved significant success in the tech industry. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli (NIT Trichy), where he met Dhivya Sashidhar. The couple was married for ten years and has a nine-year-old son, Amar. Before co-founding Rippling with Parker Conrad, Sankar worked with several prominent tech companies, including Google and Microsoft Canada. His background in computer science and his reputation as a skilled programmer and entrepreneur have contributed to his success in the tech sector. According to his LinkedIn profile, Sankar also co-founded LikeALittle, a campus social network, and more recently, 0xPPL, a decentralised social network for the crypto community. Dhivya Sashidhar, on the other hand, has made serious allegations against Sankar, accusing him of being a “sex predator” and claiming that he was arrested in Singapore for secretly recording women. She also alleges financial misconduct, stating that Sankar transferred matrimonial assets to his father's name to evade taxes and subsequently moved these assets to his brother in Thailand. The legal proceedings are further complicated by the involvement of law enforcement agencies in both India and Singapore. Sankar alleges that the Chennai police are harassing him and attempting to extort money from him, while Sashidhar claims that she sought help from the Chennai police due to Sankar's alleged misconduct. The accusations of child abduction add another layer of complexity to the case. Sankar claims that Sashidhar abducted their son to the US to strengthen her divorce case, while Sashidhar alleges that Sankar forcibly took their son from her in India. The case has attracted significant media attention, particularly in India, where Sankar's allegations against the Chennai police have raised concerns about police misconduct and abuse of power. The legal battle between Sankar and Sashidhar is likely to be a protracted and costly affair, with significant implications for both parties. The outcome of the case will not only determine the custody of their son and the division of their assets but also have a significant impact on their reputations and careers.
Sankar’s narrative, presented primarily through his posts on X (formerly Twitter), paints a picture of a man caught in a web of false accusations and legal maneuvering by his estranged wife. He claims the marital breakdown stemmed from his discovery of his wife's alleged extramarital affair, presenting what he describes as evidence provided by the spouse of the person involved. He asserts that divorce negotiations took a turn for the worse when his wife, dissatisfied with the proposed settlement, filed false police complaints against him, including allegations of rape and circulating nude videos. Sankar maintains that Singaporean authorities investigated these claims and found them baseless, clearing him of all charges. He further alleges that his wife filed for divorce in the United States to gain a financial advantage, which prompted him to file an international child abduction case. He claims a US court ruled in his favor, leading to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two. According to Sankar, his wife later reneged on this agreement, leading to further legal action and the current accusations of kidnapping. He insists he has proof that his son is safe and happy with him, and that he is pursuing the matter through legal channels. His allegations extend to the Chennai police, whom he accuses of harassment and extortion, claiming they are pressuring his family and friends and demanding a substantial sum of money to release a friend who has been detained. He further claims the police illegally raided his friend's home in Bengaluru and seized the phone of a caretaker. In contrast, Dhivya Sashidhar presents a very different account of the situation. She accuses Sankar of financial misconduct, claiming he transferred their matrimonial assets to his father to evade taxes, who then allegedly moved them to his brother in Thailand. She claims she was coerced into signing documents preventing her from reporting these alleged tax violations to US authorities. More seriously, she labels Sankar a “sex predator,” accusing him of secretly recording women, leading to his alleged arrest in Singapore and subsequent release on bail. She also alleges he was caught in a sting operation for solicitation and prostitution, which she claims led to his removal from his company. She claims Sankar forcibly took their son from her after they returned to India earlier this month, prompting her to file a police complaint. She insists both she and her son are US citizens.
The conflicting narratives presented by Prasanna Sankar and Dhivya Sashidhar create a complex and challenging legal situation. The allegations of child abduction, police harassment, extortion, and sexual misconduct require careful investigation by the relevant authorities. The involvement of law enforcement agencies in both India and Singapore adds another layer of complexity to the case. The legal proceedings are likely to be protracted and costly, with significant implications for both parties. The outcome of the case will determine not only the custody of their son and the division of their assets but also their reputations and careers. The case also raises broader issues about the challenges of cross-border legal disputes and the potential for abuse of power in divorce and custody battles. The accusations against the Chennai police, if proven true, would be a serious indictment of police misconduct and corruption. The allegations of financial misconduct also raise concerns about tax evasion and the potential for misuse of offshore accounts. The case underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in financial transactions and the need for effective legal mechanisms to address cross-border financial crimes. The media coverage of the case has also raised concerns about the potential for bias and misinformation in reporting on high-profile legal disputes. It is important for journalists to present a balanced and objective account of the facts and to avoid sensationalizing the allegations or taking sides in the dispute. The case also highlights the importance of seeking legal counsel and advice in divorce and custody battles, particularly when significant assets and international jurisdictions are involved. Both Sankar and Sashidhar have engaged legal counsel, and their lawyers will play a crucial role in presenting their cases and protecting their rights. The legal proceedings are likely to involve extensive discovery, including the examination of documents, emails, and other evidence. Witnesses will also be called to testify about the events leading up to the dispute. The case will ultimately be decided by a judge or jury, who will weigh the evidence and determine the facts of the case. The outcome of the case will have a significant impact on the lives of Sankar and Sashidhar, as well as their son. It is important for all parties to act with respect and dignity throughout the legal proceedings and to avoid making inflammatory statements that could further escalate the conflict.
Source: Who is Prasanna Sankar, Rippling co-founder who has accused wife of kidnapping son?