In a dramatic unfolding of events, Dhivya Sashidhar, the estranged wife of Rippling co-founder Prasanna Sankar, has made serious allegations against her husband amid their contentious divorce and custody battle. In an exclusive interview with The San Francisco Standard, Sashidhar accused Sankar of coercing her into an open marriage, engaging with escorts, and exhibiting abusive behavior.
According to Sashidhar, Sankar pressured her into sexual activity even during her recovery from childbirth complications, threatening to seek intimacy outside their marriage if she refused. "Prasanna would come and tell me, ‘Look, sex is a primal need for me. You have to do it. It doesn’t matter, like, you know, how much pain you’re in,’" she recounted. She described her marriage as "the worst nightmare of my life," detailing how Sankar proposed an open marriage in a December 2019 email, which she found deeply distressing.
In addition to these personal allegations, Sashidhar claimed that Sankar moved their family, including their nine-year-old son, between countries to evade taxes on his significant wealth. She alleged that he spied on her through hidden cameras and pressured her to take time off work for his demands. "I was left at home caring for our son while he engaged in frivolous sexual behavior with many partners and sex workers," Sashidhar stated.
Sankar, who has a net worth estimated at $1.3 billion by Forbes, has vehemently denied these allegations. He accused Sashidhar of infidelity, claiming she had an affair with a man named Anoop for over six months. In a series of tweets, he shared screenshots of hotel bookings and messages that he claims prove his wife's unfaithfulness, stating, "My name is Prasanna, who previously founded Rippling (worth $10B); I'm going through a divorce. I'm now on the run from the Chennai police hiding outside of Tamil Nadu. This is my story."
As the couple's legal battle escalates, the Supreme Court of India has intervened, suggesting that the matrimonial dispute should be sent for mediation. During a recent hearing, Justice MM Sundresh remarked, "This is a matter for mediation," after hearing claims of objectionable language used by Sankar against Sashidhar.
Senior Advocate S Nagamuthu, representing Sashidhar, expressed concerns over the harassment on social media, highlighting the distress caused by Sankar's public accusations. "Let there be restraint on both of them for social media posts," he urged the court.
Sankar, in his defense, claimed that he was being unfairly targeted and that his marriage had become "sexless" due to Sashidhar's lack of interest. He described the discussions about an open marriage as a moment of anger, stating that they ultimately agreed not to pursue it.
In the midst of these allegations, Sashidhar has accused Sankar of using their son as a pawn in their legal disputes. She filed a complaint alleging breach of privacy and the illegal retention of their minor son by Sankar, who she claims disclosed her contact details on social media.
As the couple navigates this turbulent period, the contrasting narratives have captivated public attention, with both sides presenting conflicting accounts of their tumultuous relationship. Sashidhar's claims of coercion and abuse paint a troubling picture of their marriage, while Sankar's accusations of infidelity and child abduction complicate the custody battle.
The couple, who met as students at the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, married ten years ago and share a nine-year-old son. Their divorce proceedings have drawn significant media coverage, with many observers questioning the motivations behind their public accusations and the impact on their child's well-being.
Amid the legal wrangling, the couple's future remains uncertain. As they prepare for mediation, both parties are likely to continue presenting their sides of the story, each hoping to emerge victorious in a battle that has already taken a toll on their family.
This unfolding saga serves as a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding marital disputes, particularly when significant wealth and children are involved. The outcome of their legal battle could set precedents for how similar cases are handled in the future.
