The Delhi High Court on Thursday restrained Priya Kapur, wife of the late industrialist Sunjay Kapur, from squandering the assets left behind by him, LiveLaw reported.
In addition, the court granted interim relief to Bollywood actor Karisma Kapoor’s children, Samaira and Kiaan Kapoor, in their lawsuit over a share in their late father’s personal property.
What did the Delhi High Court say?
While hearing the case, Justice Jyoti Singh noted that the plaintiffs and Rani Kapur, mother of the deceased industrialist, had raised suspicious circumstances regarding the alleged will. Justice Singh added that the onus is on Priya Kapur to address and allay these concerns, which is a matter for the court.
Read also | Priya Sachdeva filed a defamation case against Sunjay Kapoor’s sister
The court also observed that the question whether the estate of the deceased industrialist should be preserved during the pendency of the suit must be answered in the affirmative.
It further added that the genuineness of the will is a matter to be determined in court and in the meantime, Sunjay Kapoor’s property should not be wasted. The court noted that the plaintiffs had established a prima facie case and issued interim directions for the preservation of his property.
Single judge Justice Singh also restrained Priya Kapur from transferring or changing equity interests in three Indian companies (details of which will be sent in a detailed order), from withdrawing amounts from pension funds and from alienating certain personal assets, including works of art.
Priya Kapur was also restricted from withdrawing money from several Indian accounts and transferring cryptocurrencies held by her late husband.
Read also | Patiala House Court issues notice on plea of Mandhira Kapurs seeking documents from Priya Kapur
What happened during the hearing?
Senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, appearing for the siblings, argued that both Samaira and Kiaan were 1st class heirs and Priya Kapur informed them that there was no will all along. However, at the July 30 meeting, the alleged will was not only tabled, but also hurriedly read.
Disputing Priya Kapur’s claim that even she heard about the Will for the first time during the meeting, Jethmalani said the Will was not registered to the best of his client’s knowledge and added that the late industrialist carefully layered every document while transferring the property to his children.
He even pointed out the flaws in the Will, adding that it was uncharacteristic of Sunjay Kapoor because his “alleged will” accidentally excluded his two children and humiliated them.
The Case of Sunjay Kapur’s Will
According to a report, the late Sunjay Kapur’s children, Samair and Kiaan, claimed that the alleged will allegedly executed by their late father was neither legal nor valid, adding that it was forged and fabricated and in any case surrounded by suspicious circumstances. Bollywood actor Karisma Kapoor has filed a lawsuit on behalf of her children against Priya Kapur, her son Rani Kapoor and Shradha Suri Marwah, the alleged executor of Kapoor’s will dated March 21, 2025.
Former chairman of Sona Comstan, Sunjay Kapur, died on June 12 last year in London after suffering a heart attack while playing polo. After his death, in September last year, Karisma Kapoor’s children moved the Delhi High Court demanding a share in their late father’s estate. ₹30,000 crore assets. The siblings accused their stepmother Priya Kapur of excluding them from the will and trying to gain complete control over the late industrialist’s estate.
Read also | Karisma Kapoor’s daughter to Delhi HC: ‘My university fees were not paid’
On September 10, Priya Kapur informed the Delhi High Court that the siblings had received ₹1,900 crore from the Kapoor family.
Rani Kapoor alleged coercion
In early September last year, Rani Kapur told the court that while their family mourned Sunjay’s death, Priya, who was Sunjay Kapoor’s third wife, saw it as an opportunity to wrest control and usurp their family inheritance. The allegations were made after Priya Kapur was appointed director of Sona Comstar, Sunjay Kapur’s company, after his death.
She further claimed coercion and refused access to key records, adding that shortly after her son’s death she was forced to sign documents without being informed of their contents. She said she was denied access to accounts and key company records.
Key things
- The court’s intervention underscores the importance of protecting assets during litigation.
- Allegations of coercion and suspicious circumstances can significantly affect the validity of a will.
- The rights of children as 1st class heirs are protected in inheritance disputes and it is ensured that they receive their rightful share.
