Costume designer Joy Crizildaa seeks maintenance for unborn child from celebrity chef Madhampatty Rangaraj

CHENNAI: A costume designer Joy Crizildaa has approached the Chennai family court, seeking maintenance for her unborn child from celebrity chef Madhampatty Rangaraj. He allegedly married Joy in December 2023 and attempted to abandon her as she refused to terminate her pregnancy.While the Madras HC has reserved its orders on a plea moved by Madhampatty Thangavelu Hospitality Private Limited—Rangaraj’s company—seeking to restrain her from tagging the company on social media regarding the issue, Rangaraj has filed a separate suit to protect his personality rights, which he claimed are damaged by allegations made by Joy on social media.

While the personality rights suit is pending a final hearing before the Madras HC, Joy has moved the family court, claiming that she is in the seventh month of pregnancy and requires more emotional and medical support and care since she was abandoned by her husband, Rangaraj, who falsely deceived and cheated her in the name of love and marriage only to have coitus with her.She contended that Rangaraj is obligated and duty-bound to meet the financial obligations arising from their matrimonial and domestic relationship, both towards her maintenance and that of the unborn child. The medical expenses for the care of the fetus, such as vaccinations, scans, and regular monitoring, as well as subsequent child delivery and the medical and living expenses that would follow, should be met by Rangaraj alone.

Therefore, she wants the court to direct Rangaraj to pay Rs 6.50 lakh for monthly maintenance, which includes house rent, car EMI, medical, and other living expenses. According to Joy, although she was gainfully employed as a designer, she took a sabbatical due to her marriage to Rangaraj and her pregnancy. As such, she is now left without any support.She added that Rangaraj is duty-bound to maintain the unborn child, considering her needs such as food, clothing, accommodation, and medicine.

However, Rangaraj, with his ulterior motive, is evading his responsibility to maintain her and their unborn child. She is trying to communicate with him, but there is no avenue available to her to resolve the discord.“Having lived in a domestic relationship and having fathered a child, he has now distanced himself from her. It would be relevant to mention that the house she is residing in is rented premises, and the lessee is none other than Rangaraj’s company,” she said.Until August, the rent was paid by Rangaraj. While most of her personal expenses are met by her from her savings, in view of the impending delivery and subsequent confinement and maternal duties, she is unable to take up any projects, she added.