Australia Custody Crisis: Dharwad’s Priyadarshini’s Tragic Death Spurs Diplomatic Action”

NEW DELHI- Family members of the late Priyadarshini Patil, who tragically ended her life in Belagavi after battling challenges and contending with the Australian government, sought assistance from Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Mines, and Coal, Pralhad Joshi, and External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, on Saturday. The family urged the Indian External Affairs Ministry’s intervention, seeking full custody of Priyadarshini’s children for her husband Lingaraj Patil or the grandparents.

In a prompt response, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar contacted officials at the Indian Consulate in Australia to address legal challenges. He directed authorities to provide a report and facilitate the repatriation of Priyadarshini’s children.

Expressing deep condolences and support, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi assured Priyadarshini’s family that the Indian government is actively engaged in seeking justice and ensuring the safe return of the children to their family in Dharwad.

Priyadarshini Patil, a native of Dharwad, an IT professional settled in Sydney with her husband, brought attention to child custody issues involving Indian or Indian-origin parents in foreign countries. Her struggle for custody ensued after New South Wales officials separated her children, citing allegations of “improper care.” Despite initial positive reports from social workers, the children were taken into custody based on a subsequent report.