‘Cinderella Stepmother’: Mahesh Jethmalani targets Priya Sachdev in Sunjay Kapur inheritance row

‘Cinderella Stepmother’: Mahesh Jethmalani targets Priya Sachdev in Sunjay Kapur inheritance row

During a heated hearing in the Delhi High Court on Friday over businessman Sunjay Kapur’s Rs 30,000 crore inheritance, senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, representing actor Karisma Kapoor’s children, launched a scathing attack on Kapur’s widow, Priya Sachdev Kapur, likening her to the “evil stepmother” from Cinderella.

“This is a Cinderella stepmother,” Jethmalani remarked in court, accusing Sachdev of trying to curtail the inheritance due to Karisma Kapoor’s two children from her marriage with Sunjay Kapur.

He alleged that Priya Sachdev had already secured a majority of the assets, 60% of the total estate, 12% to her own son, and control of 75% of the trust, and yet acted in haste to consolidate more wealth. “She was in such a hurry, she even began writing letters about Benami forms used to decide company beneficiaries,” Jethmalani said, calling her actions an “attempt to limit the rightful share” of Sunjay’s children from his first marriage.

Questioning the authenticity of Sunjay Kapur’s will, the senior lawyer told the court, “It’s impossible to believe that a man of his stature would prepare a will for such a vast estate without consulting a lawyer.” He claimed the typed document contained “several loopholes and infirmities,” suggesting foul play.

Jethmalani further alleged that changes to the will were made while Kapur was on holiday with his son and that one of those involved “became a company director just a day after the funeral.” He emphasised that “forging a will is a crime punishable by life imprisonment,” and warned that “the justice system must not be made a joke.”

The Delhi High Court is hearing a suit filed by Karisma Kapoor’s children seeking a fair share in their late father’s estate. The matter has been adjourned until October 16.