In a high-stakes domestic dispute that has taken a shocking turn, tech entrepreneur Prasanna Sankar, co-founder of the billion-dollar company Rippling, has made serious allegations against his estranged wife, Divya Shashidar, claiming he is being subjected to harassment by both her and the Chennai police amid their ongoing divorce and child custody battle. Sankar took to social media to share his plight, stating that he is not only on the run from law enforcement but also facing serious accusations that he categorically denies.
Sankar's troubles began after he discovered that Divya was allegedly having an affair with a man named Anoop, as revealed in a Twitter thread posted on March 23, 2025. In this thread, he claimed, “My name is Prasanna, founder of a $10 billion company. I am about to file for divorce. I am hiding outside Tamil Nadu, running for my life.” He also mentioned that their marriage, which lasted 10 years, suffered irreparably after learning about the infidelity, and that they share a 9-year-old son.
Upon confronting Divya, Sankar alleged that her demands for a significant divorce settlement—rumored to be in the millions of dollars—caused further complications. When the negotiations stalled, he claims that she filed a false police complaint against him, accusing him of domestic violence and even rape, claims that the Singapore police reportedly investigated and found baseless.
In the midst of these legal wranglings, Sankar alleges that Divya took their son to the United States without his consent, prompting him to file an international child abduction case. A US court subsequently ruled in his favor, ordering Divya to return their son to India as part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that includes terms specifying Sankar’s financial responsibilities. As part of this agreement, he has agreed to pay ₹9 crore and ₹4.3 lakh monthly child support while both parents share custody.
However, tensions escalated when Sankar claims that Divya refused to comply with the custody arrangements, particularly the stipulation that their son’s passport be locked in a common locker to prevent any further attempts to leave the country. According to Sankar, Divya's refusal led him to approach courts for assistance in ensuring the passport was secured.
In a shocking twist, after Sankar insisted on legal adherence, Divya allegedly filed a kidnapping complaint, leading Chennai police to come to his hotel late at night. Fearing wrongful arrest, he left the scene with his son. In a subsequent tweet, he detailed how police had begun tracking his communications, saying, “They’ve tracked my phone, my car, and even my UPI transactions.”
Sankar also highlighted the treatment of his friend Gokul, who was detained by police without an FIR for three days and allegedly pressured to disclose Sankar's whereabouts. “The police are harassing me for money, knowing I am a successful founder,” he lamented, stating that they demanded ₹25 lakh for Gokul's release. He claims Gokul, having been frightened by the situation, fled to Bangalore but was arrested by Chennai police without warrants.
On the other side, Divya's allegations against Sankar have reignited discussions about alleged financial and sexual misconduct. She claims that Sankar participated in illicit activities, including secretly recording women, which led to his arrest in Singapore earlier. However, Sankar vehemently denies these claims, stating he was cleared of all charges.
As the legal liability continues to mount, both parties have made their respective claims public on social media, drawing significant media attention. The complexity of the case has many calling for a deeper investigation into how domestic disputes can escalate to such levels, often resulting in the misuse of legal systems.
As of now, Sankar's family is reportedly out of Tamil Nadu, fearing police actions. He plans to file a petition in court on March 24, 2025, challenging the harassment and illegal actions taken against him by the authorities. Not only does he want to protect himself, but he also aims to ensure his son’s well-being and safety amidst these turbulent circumstances.
Both Sankar and Divya are expected to face each other in court soon. As allegations swirl, the Chennai police have not yet publicly addressed the accusations made by Sankar regarding their misconduct. The coming days will likely see more developments as both parties prepare for their respective battles in a law that has intertwined both personal and public disputes.
