'Sorry state of affairs': Delhi High Court nudges mediation in Sunjay Kapur estate row

The case involves competing claims over Sunjay Kapur's personal estate, which has become the subject of intense litigation before the High Court

• Delhi High Court urges mediation in Sunjay Kapur estate dispute
• Priya Kapur's will claim challenged by Karisma Kapoor and Rani Kapur
• Court stresses emotional toll and urges parties to seek reconciliation

Did our AI summary help?

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday urged the parties locked in a legal dispute over the estate of late businessman Sunjay Kapur to explore the possibility of settling their differences through mediation, a Bar and Bench report said on Tuesday.

The case involves competing claims over Sunjay Kapur's personal estate, which has become the subject of intense litigation before the High Court. His third wife, Priya Sachdev Kapur, has asserted that Kapur bequeathed his entire personal estate to her through a will executed in 2025, which she has placed on record, Bar and Bench noted.

The will has been challenged by Kapur's former wife, actor Karisma Kapoor, acting on behalf of their two children, on the grounds that it is forged. Kapur's mother, Rani Kapur, has also questioned the authenticity of the will and raised concerns over Priya Kapur's control of the estate. She has filed a separate suit seeking a declaration that the family trust is illegal, the publication reported.

While hearing the matter, Justice Mini Pushkarna observed that the dispute reflected a "very sorry state of affairs," remarking that "a lot of dirty linen" was being aired publicly, Bar and Bench reported. The Court said that all sides had suffered a profound personal loss, but had also been endowed with substantial wealth, which should be enjoyed responsibly rather than becoming a source of prolonged conflict.

The judge emphasised that reconciliation efforts must come from all parties, noting the emotional toll of the litigation, particularly on Rani Kapur. The Court observed that no parent should have to witness the loss of a child during their lifetime and acknowledged that all sides, including Priya Kapur, were enduring hardship, Bar and Bench said.

Addressing senior advocate Akhil Sibal, who appeared for Priya Kapur, Justice Pushkarna said the Court expected a more proactive role from his client in attempting to resolve the dispute. The judge added that Priya Kapur was now on her own and had the responsibility of caring for her children, whose interests also needed protection.

The Bench directed counsel for all parties to consult their clients and return with instructions on whether they were willing to proceed with mediation, Bar and Bench reported.

The observations were made while the Court was considering Rani Kapur's suit seeking cancellation of the family trust, which is valued at several thousand crore rupees. Rani Kapur has also sought directions to restrain the release of an interim dividend of about Rs 28 crore to Priya Kapur. The Court also took up an application filed by Priya Kapur seeking rejection of her mother-in-law's suit, issuing notices in both matters on Tuesday.

Before concluding the hearing, the Court reiterated that the parties should make an effort to resolve the dispute amicably and said that any mediation process must adequately safeguard the interests of all concerned, Bar and Bench reported.

The matter is scheduled to be heard next on March 23. Senior advocate Vaibhav Gaggar appeared for Rani Kapur, while senior advocate Akhil Sibal represented Priya Kapur.