CHENNAI: A co-founder of a multi-billion company and an angel investor, with roots in Chennai, took to social media on Sunday, alleging harassment by officers of the Chennai Police and a demand of Rs 25 lakh made by cops, who are allegedly probing a 'kidnap' complaint from his estranged wife.
Prasanna Sankar, co-founder of Rippling, an HR tech start-up reportedly valued at $13.5 billion (Rs 1.16 lakh crore), and other companies, took to his social media account to allege that the Assistant Commissioner of Thirumangalam Range and SI (sub inspector) at Thirumangalam police station harassed him by demanding money.
"My wife and I have been going through a divorce and have been sharing custody of our son. My wife handed over the child with full consent to my friend (Gokul), who brought him two floors down to hand him over to me. However, my wife later filed a false complaint that my friend kidnapped my son and that I might kill him," Prasanna’s social media post read.
He further stated that his lawyer, against his advice, parted with Rs 2 lakh to the cops to handle the situation. According to Prasanna, once the cops became aware that he had money, they wanted more. "The AC and SI have demanded Rs 25 lakh to release my friend who has been in their custody," he said. Gokul was allowed to go home by Sunday afternoon.
A top police officer, however, denied the billionaire’s allegations as baseless. "There is no truth in the allegations. Our team was probing a complaint by the woman," the official said.
According to the woman's complaint, both she and her nine-year-old son are US citizens and they came to India three weeks ago. Hours after Prasanna’s post, the woman told mediapersons that her son was taken away by her husband's manager, Gokul, on March 3. "My son has not been returned to me. I want to know his whereabouts," she said.
Earlier, Prasanna had shared a video with his son, claiming the boy was happy with him. He also claimed that the Chennai Police had illegally detained his friend and were forcing him to share details of his (Prasanna's) whereabouts.
This ongoing conflict touches on deeper issues regarding custody battles and law enforcement's role in personal disputes. As the story unfolds, it raises serious questions about police conduct and the proper protocols that should be followed in such sensitive matters. The allegations made by Prasanna Sankar against the Chennai Police, if proven true, could represent a significant breach of trust between citizens and law enforcement agencies that are meant to protect them.
Following this incident, experts and observers are calling for a thorough investigation into the matter, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability within the police department. The way this case has been handled could not only impact the individuals directly involved but also sets a precedent for how custody and personal disputes are navigated by authorities in the future.
As the public continues to scrutinize the situation, it remains crucial for both sides to present their evidence in what could become a pivotal case regarding the legal and ethical responsibilities of police in family law issues. The broader implications of this case, potentially reinforcing or undermining faith in the justice system, are yet to be fully realized. As this high-profile case develops, all eyes will be on the Chennai Police and individuals involved as they seek to clarify the situation in the public interest.
