Adam Dell - the brother of Dell computer firm founder Michael Dell - has filed a lawsuit seeking full custody of 11-month-old Krishna born to Padma Lakshmi, reports Daily Mail, London.
He is also seeking to have his name added to the birth certificate as the legal father - and to also force Krishna to have his surname along with Lakshmi.
His legal bid is said to be sparked because he is allowed just seven hours a week with his daughter - and is said to be beyond frustrated at dealing with the Top Chef beauty has refused to negotiate for more time.
Dell's lawyer, Bill Zabel, confirmed the filing at Manhattan Supreme Court and said: 'Above all else, Adam Dell wants to have an active and substantial role in the upbringing of his daughter along with Padma Lakshmi.
'Unfortunately, Ms Lakshmi has severely limited his time with their daughter and has refused to negotiate a reasonable co-parenting agreement.'Mr Dell has tried his best to avoid going to court, but Ms. Lakshmi has given him no other choice at this time.'
Insiders say that Dell's frustration comes because not only does he get just seven hours a week, Padma's constant filming and travel commitments make even that difficult to meet.Dell had to fly to the Bahamas this month just so he could spend a few hours with Krishna.
'He has to fit into her schedule,' the source added.Sources close to Dell said he must deal with her lawyers and her assistant to arrange times to see Krishna.
The insiders insist that Dell would ideally allow Padma - ex-wife of author Salman Rushdie - to keep the child, but only if she allowed him to have a greater role in parenting.
'Adam does not want to take the baby away from her. He hopes this will result in a reasonable co-parenting agreement,' the source insisted.Lakshmi's spokesperson attacked Dell for his public move.'It appears to us that Mr. Dell remains more interested in garnering media attention than working out details to see Krishna or in her welfare,' the spokesperson said.
