The Delhi High Court urged mediation in the Sunjay Kapur estate dispute, noting sides are suffering and the matter is unfolding publicly. The Bench said parties must try as Rani Kapur has suffered and Priya Kapur is strained.
The Delhi High Court urged the parties involved in the ongoing dispute over the estate of the late businessman Sunjay Kapur to explore mediation as a possible resolution.
The conflict centers on Sunjay Kapur’s estate, where his third wife, Priya Sachdev Kapur, asserts that he left his entire estate to her in a will dated 2025, which she has submitted.
However, his ex-wife, Karisma Kapoor, representing their two children, has contested the validity of that will, alleging it is forged.
Additionally, Sunjay’s mother, Rani Kapur, has joined the challenge, questioning both Priya’s authority and the genuineness of the will. She is also seeking to have the family trust declared illegal.
Justice Mini Pushkarna remarked that the “situation illustrates a very sorry state of affairs and emphasized that a lot of dirty linen was being washed in the open.”
The Court noted that all parties involved have experienced significant loss but pointed out that they have been blessed with considerable financial resources, which should be shared positively rather than turning into a source of conflict.
The Court stated,
“The effort should be from both sides. Ultimately, all the parties are suffering, and she [Rani Kapur] is already so old. No one should see a person’s son or daughter being demised when they are still alive. She has suffered a lot. You [Priya Kapur] are also suffering,”
Addressing Senior Advocate Akhil Sibal, who represents Priya Kapur, the Court expressed its expectation for him to adopt a more proactive role.
Justice Pushkarna emphasized,
“Mr. Sibal, this court expects that you will take a more proactive approach in this. Since you are at the helm of the affairs, you can make this happen,”
The Court also highlighted that Priya is now alone and should be supported in caring for her children,
“She is there alone now. She has to take care of the children. As far as Defendant No. 1 [Priya Kapur] and her children are concerned, they also need to be taken care of.”
It urged counsel for all parties to discuss with their clients the prospect of mediation. This suggestion came while reviewing a suit filed by Rani Kapur to cancel the family trust, valued at several thousand crores. Rani sought an injunction against distributing an interim dividend of roughly Rs.28 crore to Priya Kapur.
The Bench also considered Priya Kapur’s request to dismiss her mother-in-law’s suit and issued notices on both applications. Before concluding, the Court reiterated that the parties should aim for an amicable resolution and that mediation should respect the interests of all involved.
The case is scheduled for its next hearing on March 23.
Senior Advocate Vaibhav Gaggar represented Rani Kapur, while Senior Advocate Akhil Sibal represented Priya Kapur.
Earlier, the 80-year-old Rani Kapur has claimed that the trust was established fraudulently and has been used to remove her from her entire estate, including her influence over the Sona Group of companies. She has accused Priya Kapur, Sunjay Kapur’s widow, of being the “chief mastermind” behind the alleged conspiracy.
Rani Kapur alleges that Priya Kapur acted quickly after Sunjay Kapur’s death to take control of crucial Sona Group companies without notifying her.
Background of the Case
The personal estate dispute of late industrialist Sunjay Kapur has been pending before the Delhi High Court for several months and forms the background to the ongoing inheritance battle within his family. The case involves conflicting claims by his widow, Priya Sachdev Kapur, his mother Rani Kapur, and his children from his earlier marriage with actor Karisma Kapoor, namely Samaira Kapur and Kiaan Raj Kapur.
The dispute began after Sunjay Kapur’s children and his mother approached the High Court alleging that the will relied upon by Priya Kapur was forged.
They challenged its validity and claimed that it does not reflect Sunjay Kapur’s true intentions regarding his multi-million-dollar personal estate. As part of the civil proceedings, they sought an interim injunction to prevent Priya Kapur from dealing with or managing the estate until the issue is finally decided.
During the hearings, Priya Kapur denied all allegations of forgery and concealment of assets, while Sunjay Kapur’s mother questioned the disclosure of his income and bank balances.
Previously, Priya Kapur’s son challenged the authenticity of the will purportedly belonging to their father, opposing the claims made by Karisma Kapoor’s children and asserting that their challenge was founded on “speculation and guesswork.”
Earlier, On November 20, Priya Kapur informed the High Court that it is a customary practice for a husband to leave all his assets to his wife, countering the assertion made by Karisma Kapoor’s children that their father’s alleged will emerged under questionable circumstances.
The High Court had previously allowed Priya Sachdev Kapur to file a list of Sunjay Kapur’s movable and immovable assets in a sealed envelope. Justice Jyoti Singh was reviewing her request to submit these asset details confidentially, along with a commitment that neither party would share this information with the media.
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