Sunjay Kapur estate war: Days after mediation nudge, Priya Kapur files Rs 20 cr defamation suit against sister-in-law

Priya Kapur has filed the defamation action through advocate Smriti Asmita.

• Priya Kapur files civil defamation suit against Mandhira Kapur Smith in Delhi HC
• Priya demands Rs 20 crore in damages and a permanent ban on defamatory remarks.
• Podcast host Pooja Chaudhari named defendant in ongoing legal dispute

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Priya Kapur, widow of late industrialist Sunjay Kapur, has moved the Delhi High Court with a civil defamation suit against her sister-in-law, Mandhira Kapur Smith, escalating the ongoing family dispute over Sunjay Kapur's estate.

The fresh plea comes amid a broader legal battle involving Mandhira Kapur and other members of Sunjay Kapur's family, including his second wife, actor Karisma Kapoor, over the control and distribution of his assets.

A separate criminal defamation complaint filed by Priya Kapur against Mandhira Kapur Smith is already pending before the Patiala House Court in Delhi. That case pertains to statements allegedly made by Smith on social media and during appearances on the podcast InControversial. The show's host, Pooja Chaudhari, has also been named as a party in the proceedings.

The latest suit before the High Court relates to what Priya Kapur describes as similar defamatory remarks. Both Mandhira Kapur Smith and Pooja Chaudhari have been arrayed as defendants.

In her petition, Priya Kapur has sought a permanent injunction restraining Smith from making or circulating any further allegedly defamatory statements about her. She has also claimed damages of Rs 20 crore, citing reputational harm, mental anguish, emotional trauma and social humiliation.

The plea alleges that Mandhira Kapur repeatedly posted and shared videos and social media content that directly named Priya Kapur and levelled what she terms as false and malicious accusations intended to incite hatred, ridicule and social isolation.

According to the suit, shortly after Sunjay Kapur's death, Mandhira Kapur Smith allegedly initiated a sustained campaign aimed at discrediting and defaming Priya Kapur. The complaint states that the statements in question falsely attribute dishonesty, moral misconduct, professional incompetence, concealment of assets and unlawful assumption of corporate control to the plaintiff.

The suit further contends that the allegedly defamatory content was deliberately disseminated and amplified through the podcast InControversial with Pooja Chaudhari.

Priya Kapur has filed the defamation action through advocate Smriti Asmita.