Padma Lakshmi's Ex Sues for Custody of Daughter

Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi is locked in a custody fight for her daughter, Krishna.

On Wednesday, Adam Dell sued for custody, claiming that Lakshmi is "either unable or unwilling to moderate either her social or business travel" for the child's sake," The Associate Press reports. The venture capitalist claims that although a paternity test proved he's Krishna's father, Lakshmi is sidelining him for her current boyfriend, Ted Forstmann.

"Ms. Lakshmi's sole interest lies in preserving the privacy and welfare of her daughter and in working out a fair and amicable agreement out of the media's glare," Lakshmi's publicist said. Her lawyer, Jay D. Silverstein, added that Dell's claims are "inaccurate and misleading."

See photos of Padma Lakshmi

Lakshmi and Dell began dating in November 2007 and broke up in September 2009. Krishna Thea Lakshmi was born Feb. 20. According to the lawsuit, Lakshmi worked "to minimize, if not eliminate, [Dell's] role in Krishna's life," allowing him only limited involvement with the baby through a temporary agreement that expires on Krishna's first birthday.
Dell, brother of Dell Inc. founder Michael Dell, is also requesting that Krishna's name be changed to Krishna Lakshmi Dell.

Dell's lawyer, William D. Zabel, said that he hopes the lawsuit will lead to "a reasonably negotiated co-parenting agreement."