The inheritance war between Bollywood star Karisma Kapoor’s children and Priya Sachdev Kapur over the Rs 30,000 crore estate of late industrialist Sunjay Kapur took a dramatic turn during Thursday hearing in Delhi High Court.
Appearing for the children - Kiaan Kapoor and Samaira – senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani said Priya was in ‘tearing hurry’ to take control of late industrialist’s estate.
“The tearing hurry was so that the children’s share is restricted to 26% and she appropriates the rest. Therein lies the veneer. This is no benign stepmother. This is Cinderella’s stepmother,” Jethmalani was quoted as saying by Bar & Bench.
In this classic fairytale of Cinderella, it was Lady Tremaine, her stepmother, who was the main antagonist. She was depicted as someone who ill-treated her step-daughter and favoured her own children over Cinderella.
The senior counsel also spoke about the will in question being fake or altered. “The will was altered on March 17 at 11:54 am, when Sunjay Kapur was not even in the city. His digital footprints are missing, replaced by those of the conspirators, including Priya Kapur,” Jethmalani told the court. “It is a serious crime under Section 467 of the Indian Penal Code, which prescribes life imprisonment for forgery of a will.”
The children had moved the Delhi High Court challenging their step-mother and contesting against the alleged will by their father. Samaira and Kiaan have sought status quo. "The prayer basically is for a status quo in respect of creating third-party rights in the will," Jethmalani told the High COurt.
Jethmalani also accused Priya of engineering secrecy around the estate, including insisting that family members sign non-disclosure agreements before discussing assets. “If the will were genuine, why the need for NDAs? Why the haste?” he asked.
The senior advocate also questioned the role of Shradha Suri Marwah, the named executor, claiming that “the person executing the assets was not the executor but Priya herself.” Two witnesses to the will, he said, were later given roles in companies tied to the estate—an “ominously convenient” pattern that, he argued, exposed the forgery. Neither witness has filed an affidavit validating the will, adding to the doubts over its provenance.
As per the court filings, Sunjay Kapur’s alleged will leaves Karisma Kapoor’s children with a residual stake of barely 26% in the family trust, while Priya Kapur and her minor son Azarius command control of nearly three-quarters of the assets.
The court will continue hearing Jethmalani’s arguments on October 13 before the defence presents its case.
The Bollywood star had married Sunjay Kapur 2003. Later, they went separate ways after divorce in 2016. They have a son and a daughter together. Sunjay later married Priya Sachdev.
Rahul R Shelke, Civil Lawyer, Bombay High Court, expert in succession cases told Moneycontrol: "The assertion that the will was modified while the testator was away with his son is legally significant. When such allegations are supported by an affidavit from the testator’s close kin and contextualised by evidence of marital discord, they lend considerable weight to claims of undue influence or forgery. Courts will generally adopt a cautious stance, prioritising the protection of the legitimate heirs’ interests until a full forensic examination is concluded."
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
