The legal battle surrounding the divorce of Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has taken a dramatic turn, with his attorney strongly contesting a California court's order demanding a staggering $1.7 billion bond. Christopher C Melcher, representing Vembu, has stated the order is invalid, based on misleading information, and is currently under appeal.
An Emergency Order Based on "False Allegations"
Reacting to reports about the court directive, attorney Melcher clarified that the order was issued a year ago. He explained it was made on an emergency application filed by Vembu's estranged wife, Pramila Srinivasan. Melcher asserted that Pramila made "outrageously false allegations" against the tech billionaire.
He further claimed the California judge was "completely misled" by Pramila's attorney, whom he noted is not licensed to practice law in California. The core of the dispute, as per California law, revolves around properties acquired during the marriage, which are considered jointly owned. Vembu, who moved to India in late 2019, filed for divorce in 2021.
A Disputed Settlement and an "Unprecedented" Bond
Vembu's legal counsel provided details of the attempted settlement. They stated that Sridhar Vembu had offered his wife 50% of his shares in ZCPL (Zoho Corporation Private Limited), but she has refused to accept the stock to this day.
"Instead, she has claimed that Sridhar is trying to cheat her in the divorce. This makes no sense as she could take her half of the shares now and Sridhar has already transferred his interest in the family home to her," the attorney said. Despite this, the court was persuaded to issue an order for Vembu to post the massive bond for the wife's protection—a step described as unprecedented.
Legal Stand: Order is Invalid and on Appeal
Melcher was unequivocal in his dismissal of the bond order's validity. He emphasized that the case is not about alimony, as Pramila Srinivasan has not sought support. "Sridhar is in full compliance with all lawful orders of California. The $1.7 billion bond order is invalid, cannot be complied with, and is on appeal," he stated.
He confirmed that the related receivership order has been stayed due to the appeal. Characterizing the news as based on "old news about an order that should never have been made," Melcher defended his client's character. "This case does not define him and mirrors the bad actions of his wife and her New York attorney," he concluded, framing the litigation as a misuse of the legal process rather than a reflection of Vembu's actions.
