On March 23, 2025, Prasanna Sankar, co-founder of the $10 billion HR tech giant Rippling, set social media ablaze with a series of posts alleging harassment by his estranged wife, Dhivya Sashidhar, and the Chennai police. What began as a private divorce dispute has erupted into a public saga, complete with accusations of infidelity, child abduction, and police intimidation. Sankar claims he’s now “on the run” from Tamil Nadu with his nine-year-old son, fearing arrest over what he calls false charges. This blog dives into the messy details, the legal stakes, and what might happen next in this high-profile drama.
The Story So Far: A Marriage Falls Apart
Prasanna Sankar, a Chennai-born tech entrepreneur who helped build Rippling into a Silicon Valley powerhouse, says his troubles started when he uncovered his wife Dhivya’s alleged affair. Married for ten years, the couple has a nine-year-old son at the center of this storm. In a long thread on X, Sankar alleges that Dhivya’s six-month affair with a man named Anoop triggered their marital collapse. He claims Anoop’s wife provided proof—messages and hotel bookings—backing up his story.
When divorce talks began, Sankar says Dhivya demanded millions in settlement money. Unhappy with the negotiations, he alleges she retaliated by filing “false” police complaints in Chennai, accusing him of domestic violence. Things escalated further when, according to Sankar, Dhivya took their son to the United States without his consent—an act he calls “abduction.” He fought back, filing an international child abduction case in a U.S. court, which he says ruled in his favor, ordering the child’s return to India.
To settle the matter, the couple signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Sankar agreed to pay Dhivya ₹9 crore (about USD 1.08 million) and ₹4.3 lakh monthly (around USD 5,200), with both sharing 50-50 custody of their son. Part of the deal was to keep the boy’s passport in a shared locker. But Sankar claims Dhivya reneged, refusing to comply and threatening to file for divorce in the U.S. for a bigger payout.
The Breaking Point: Fleeing Tamil Nadu
The plot thickened when Dhivya allegedly filed a fresh complaint in Chennai, claiming Sankar kidnapped their son. Sankar says this triggered a late-night police visit to his hotel, forcing him to flee Tamil Nadu with his son and father on March 22, 2025. In his viral X thread, he accuses the Chennai police of harassing him and his family, even though he insists the child was handed over willingly by Dhivya to his friend Gokul, who then passed the boy to him.
Sankar alleges the police went overboard: raiding his mother’s house, tracking his phone, car, and UPI transactions without an FIR, and detaining Gokul in Bengaluru without a warrant. He claims Gokul was held for three days, pressured to reveal Sankar’s location, and threatened with trouble unless Sankar deleted his critical X posts. In a bombshell accusation, Sankar says the police demanded ₹25 lakh (about USD 30,000) to release Gokul, exploiting his status as a “successful founder.”
To back his claims, Sankar posted a video of his son, saying the boy is “safe and happy” with him. He also shared that he’d sent proof to the police via his lawyers, arguing the custody dispute is already before the courts and cops shouldn’t interfere. Despite this, he says the harassment continued—until a twist on March 23, when he updated followers that the Chennai Police Commissioner had assured him there’d be no arrest. Sankar now plans to return to Tamil Nadu and file a “don’t harass” petition in court on March 24, 2025.
Dhivya’s Side: A Different Tale
Dhivya Sashidhar hasn’t stayed silent. She claims their son, a U.S. citizen like her, was forcibly taken from her three weeks ago during a trip to India. In a video statement, she accuses Sankar of grave wrongdoing, calling him a “sexual predator” who secretly recorded women and assaulted her. She alleges he was arrested in Singapore for these acts but released on bail, and later lost his job at Rippling after a prostitution-related arrest in San Francisco—claims Sankar denies, saying Singapore police cleared him of all charges.
Dhivya says she turned to the Chennai police and the U.S. Embassy for help, desperate to find her son. She also accuses Sankar of financial misconduct, alleging he transferred matrimonial assets to his father and brother in Thailand to dodge taxes, then coerced her into signing papers to keep quiet. “I just want my son back,” she pleads, painting Sankar as the aggressor in this bitter feud.
The Legal Landscape
This messy divorce touches on several legal areas:
- Child Custody – Hague Convention
Sankar’s international abduction case falls under the Hague Convention, which aims to return kids to their “habitual residence” (likely India, per the U.S. ruling). The MoU’s 50-50 custody split is legally binding unless a court voids it, but Dhivya’s non-compliance could spark fresh battles. - Criminal Complaints – IPC Sections
Dhivya’s kidnapping claim against Sankar could invoke Section 363 (kidnapping), with up to seven years in jail if proven. Her earlier domestic violence allegations might fall under Section 498A (cruelty by husband), though Sankar says these were debunked. Meanwhile, the police’s alleged actions—detention without FIR, extortion—could breach Section 166 (public servant disobeying law) or Section 384 (extortion), but proof is shaky so far. - Defamation – Section 499, IPC
Both sides’ public accusations could lead to defamation suits. Sankar’s affair claims and Dhivya’s “sexual predator” label carry up to two years in jail if found false and malicious. - Police Powers – CrPC
The Chennai police say they’re probing Dhivya’s complaint, which gives them authority under the Code of Criminal Procedure to investigate. But Sankar’s allegations of illegal tracking and warrantless raids, if true, could violate procedural laws and his rights.
What’s Next?
This saga’s far from over. Here’s what might unfold:
- Court Showdown
Sankar’s planned petition on March 24 could seek a restraining order against police action, while the ongoing divorce case in India (and possibly the U.S.) will decide custody and money. Evidence—like the MoU, U.S. court ruling, and police records—will be key. - Police Probe
The Chennai Police Commissioner’s assurance of “no arrest” suggests a pause, but they’ll likely investigate Dhivya’s kidnapping claim. If Sankar’s extortion allegations hold water, it could spark an internal inquiry—or escalate to higher authorities like the Tamil Nadu government or courts. - Public Backlash
X is buzzing, with some backing Sankar as a victim of “misused laws” and others siding with Dhivya’s safety pleas. The viral thread (over 8 million views) has thrust Rippling into the spotlight, potentially denting its reputation—or Sankar’s, if his claims unravel. - Sankar’s Return
If he trusts the police promise, Sankar’s return to Tamil Nadu could calm things—or ignite a new clash if Dhivya pushes harder. His son’s fate hangs in the balance, likely decided by a judge soon.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just a celebrity spat—it’s a clash of wealth, power, and justice in modern India. Sankar, a self-made tech titan, frames himself as a target of greed and corruption, while Dhivya casts him as a dangerous ex exploiting his influence. The Chennai police, caught in the middle, face scrutiny over their role. It’s a test of how India’s legal system handles high-stakes domestic disputes—and whether public shaming on platforms like X can sway outcomes.
As of March 24, 2025, the dust hasn’t settled. Sankar’s empire-building grit—“I built a $10 billion company; I can handle this”—meets a raw, human fight over a child. Will he clear his name, or will Dhivya’s counterclaims stick? One thing’s sure: this viral mess has everyone watching, from Chennai to Silicon Valley. Stay tuned for the next chapter in this real-life courtroom thriller.
He claims his wife’s false complaints and police threats over a custody dispute forced him to run.
Sankar says his wife abducted their son to the U.S.; a court ruled for shared custody.
Sankar alleges illegal raids and extortion; police say they’re probing a kidnapping claim.
