The long-running saga of the Bhattacharya couple and their two children in Norway was split wide open over the weekend. The feuding between Anurup and Sagarika Bhattacharya, which had remained largely under wraps until Monday, worsened, with Mr. Bhattacharya telling The Hindu he would be applying for a legal separation. Two Indian diplomats who left New Delhi for Norway to try and resolve the issue of transfer of custody of the children from the Norwegian Child Welfare Service that is due to come up before a court on March 23, just got their task cut out.
The relationship between man and wife had evidently deteriorated rapidly. Mr. Bhattacharya on Monday accused his wife of attacking him – hitting him and clawing at his face, hands and legs in the early hours of the day. In the morning he met the chief of the Stavangar Child Welfare Service to seek help, apparently determined not to continue with the lie he has been living. He later moved out of the apartment he shared with his wife.
Ms. Bhattacharya's version of the events was not available; her telephone remained switched off.
