The Delhi High Court has ordered Priya Kapur, the widow of late businessman Sunjay Kapur, and his sister Mandhira Kapur Smith to refrain from making public statements against each other as a defamation case between the two women escalates into parallel civil and criminal proceedings.
The Delhi High Court also issued summons to the defamation suit filed by Priya Kapoor against Mandira Kapoor and also suggested that the parties consider settling the dispute through mediation.
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As Bar and Bench reported, the order was passed by a bench headed by Justice Mini Pushkarna while hearing a defamation suit filed by Priya Kapur, who alleged that Mandhira Kapur Smith made defamatory insinuations about her marriage, including through a series of podcasts aired in late 2025.
Delhi High Court orders parties to ‘behave with dignity’
During the hearing, the court made it clear that it expected restraint and decency from both sides, especially given the highly public nature of the dispute.
“We expect you not to make any public statements against yourself… Conduct yourself with dignity, that is what the court expects,” the court said.
The court’s order was issued as an interim measure, with the judge saying neither side should escalate the conflict in the public sphere while the defamation claim is heard.
Priya Kapoor defamation lawsuit linked to podcasts and social media posts
The civil defamation suit stems from comments allegedly made by Mandhira Kapur Smith during appearances on the InControversial podcast hosted by Pooja Chaudhri in November and December 2025.
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As reported by Bar and Bench, Priya Kapur claimed that Mandhira was implying that her marriage to Sunjay Kapur was problematic and lacked legitimacy, and that these remarks were reinforced through repeated posts and videos on social media.
Pooja Chaudhri, the host of the podcast, was also named as a party to the case.
The court issues a notice; a response was required within five weeks
Justice Pushkarna issued summons in the defamation suit and ordered Mandhire Kapur Smith to file her response within five weeks to Priya Kapur’s application for an injunction seeking an injunction against further allegedly defamatory statements.
“Notice of issue. List after five weeks. In the meantime, both parties are ordered to refrain from speaking to each other, directly or indirectly,” the court ordered.
The matter is now scheduled for further hearing on May 14.
Priya Kapoor is looking ₹20 million damages for damage to reputation
In her plea, Priya Kapur has sought an injunction to stop Mandhira Kapur Smith from making statements she says are defamatory. She also demanded damages ₹20 crore citing “loss of reputation, mental agony, emotional distress and social humiliation”.
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As reported by Bar and Bench, Priya Kapur’s petition alleges that Mandhira Kapur has repeatedly sent posts and videos identifying her and making insinuations aimed at inciting hatred, ridicule and social ostracism.
She also alleged that shortly after Sunjay Kapur’s death, Mandhira Kapur Smith “engaged in a systematic and organized course of conduct aimed at defaming, humiliating and socially discrediting the plaintiff (Priya Kapur).
Senior lawyers argue over alleged defamation and media trial
Senior advocate Maninder Singh appeared for Priya Kapur and, the Bar and Bench said, referred to some statements that were allegedly made in public.
“The grieving widow and seven-year-old son are subjected to such derogatory statements as there was no bloodline present. She (Mandhira) says that (Priya and her minor son) are thieves, robbers and a third wife and that she (Priya) was just filling the gap,” he said.
Singh also told the court that Priya Kapur did not attend any media interviews.
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Senior advocate Amit Sibal appeared for Mandhira Kapur Smith and argued that she too faced public targeting and a wider smear campaign.
“When you consider the relationship between the parties and the media processes that are going on … It’s telling. A concerted media smear campaign,” he said.
A criminal defamation case is also being heard by the Patiala House Court
A civil suit for defamation is not the only proceeding between the parties. As reported by the Bar and Bench, the criminal complaint filed by Priya Kapur against Mandhira Kapur Smith is already pending before the Patiala House Court in Delhi.
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The current civil suit was filed through advocate Smriti Asmit.
For now, the high court’s order orders both parties to an express court order to avoid making public comments against each other while the matter continues.