The Madras High Court has ordered police to cease harassment of tech entrepreneur Prasanna Sankar, who is contesting allegations from his estranged wife. Sankar claims police actions, including intrusive inquiries and illegal detention, are based on false charges. The court case has been further complicated by corruption allegations against the police, requiring an in-depth investigation.
The Madras High Court has instructed law enforcement not to harass a tech entrepreneur from Chennai following a complaint from his estranged wife pertaining to an alleged marital dispute. Prasanna Sankar, co-founder of Rippling, contends that the police have been unnecessarily intrusive, visiting his mother’s residence and unlawfully detaining a friend. He further accused the police of illegally searching his vacation property and seizing devices such as the caretaker’s phone and CCTV cameras.
Sankar asserts that the repeated summons and intimidation from the police stem from what he describes as his wife’s false claims. He alleged on social media that officers demanded Rs 25 lakh to release his friend, who is in their custody. His wife, Divya, filed a complaint stating that on the advice of Sankar, his associate unlawfully took their son away, breaking a previously agreed arrangement.
The police have registered a complaint, and although an inquiry was ongoing, Sankar accused them of soliciting money to resolve the issues between him and his wife. Following these allegations, the Deputy Commissioner of Police for Anna Nagar has been assigned to investigate the corruption claims against the Assistant Commissioner and Sub Inspector involved.
On Monday, the case concerning the custody of their son was reassigned to the Deputy Commissioner of Police within the Crime Against Women and Children (CAWC) division for further investigation. Divya claimed she and their nine-year-old son are American citizens, recently returning to India. Sankar posted a video showing his son expressing happiness while asserting that the police unlawfully detained his friend.
The couple, married in September 2012 and parents since 2016, have encountered significant marital discord attributed to alleged emotional cruelty and infidelity, leading to a divorce petition being filed in the Chennai Family Court.
The Madras High Court has emphasized the necessity of protecting individuals from police harassment in light of matrimonial disputes, particularly when allegations of misconduct are involved. This case underscores the complexities associated with domestic disputes and the importance of a fair legal process. As the inquiry continues, the implications of corruption allegations against police officials further highlight the need for accountability.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
