Breja

BACKGROUND

In November 2021, while the couple’s divorce case was pending, Neha1 filed a request for a domestic violence restraining order, child custody, and spousal and child support. She alleged two instances of abuse. The first occurred on February 29, 2020, when Siddharth “abused” her, apparently by shouting at her during an argument; struck his own face “till his face turned blue and had bumps;” and held her hand tightly until she threatened to call 911. Siddharth backed off, but continued to “abuse” Neha

1 We will refer to the parties by their first names for clarity. 1 and her parents (who were in India) in a phone call to his own parents in India.

The second incident occurred almost two years later, on November 7, 2021, when Neha served Siddharth with legal separation papers while he was visiting S.B. at her home. According to Neha, Siddharth cursed at her and her parents, threatened to obtain full custody, and said he would “show you guys.” Neha maintained Siddharth had neglected S.B. since August 2020 and “had the potential to” physically and emotionally harm their son due to his “volatile temperament and aggression.”

In his opposition, Siddharth recounted that…