'Washing of dirty linen in public': Delhi High Court flags Kapur family rift as perjury charge flies

Delhi High Court

• Priya Kapur accuses Rani Kapur of perjury in Rs 30,000 crore inheritance dispute
• Delhi High Court urges family to consider mediation amid escalating legal battle
• Rani Kapur claims RK Family Trust was created through fraud and undue influence

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A bitter inheritance clash over an estimated Rs 30,000 crore estate intensified in the Delhi High Court on Wednesday, a day after the bench remarked on the family “washing of dirty linen in public” and nudged the parties toward mediation.

The latest flashpoint came when Priya Kapur, the third wife of late businessman Sunjay Kapur, moved an application accusing her mother-in-law, Rani Kapur, of committing perjury. Priya sought outright dismissal of a civil suit filed against the RK Family Trust, contending it amounted to a gross misuse of the legal process. Her plea alleged that Rani Kapur had “played a fraud on the court” by making false statements and suppressing key facts.

“Yesterday the court suggested mediation and urged Priya to take proactive steps… and today she is filing perjury charges against an 80-year-old,” Rani Kapur’s counsel told the bench, underscoring the escalating acrimony.

Court urges mediation

On the previous day, the High Court had observed that “God blessed the family with significant wealth that should be enjoyed by everyone”, encouraging Rani Kapur, Priya Kapur, and other family members to consider resolving the dispute outside court. Those mentioned included actor Karisma Kapoor, Sunjay Kapur’s second wife, and their children, Kiaan and Samaira.

The court has now issued notice to Rani Kapur, directing her to respond within four weeks. It also allowed for a rejoinder to be filed within two weeks thereafter.

Dispute over Trust and estate

Rani Kapur’s suit seeks to have the RK Family Trust declared “the result of fraud, forgery, and undue influence”. She has also asked for dissolution of the trust and restoration of assets she claims were improperly transferred.

Last year, she alleged she had been pressured into signing documents while mourning her son’s passing. According to her case, after she suffered a stroke in September 2017, she became dependent on Sunjay Kapur and Priya, who allegedly diverted her holdings into the trust without her approval.

The suit notes that Rani Kapur is the sole heir of her husband Surinder Kapur, founder and promoter of the Sona Group, who died in June 2015. His will was granted probate in January 2016 without objection from Sunjay Kapur.

Claims and counterclaims

The legal battle has seen accusations flying in multiple directions. In December, Rani Kapur questioned claims that her son had only Rs 1.7 crore in cash and no investments, despite drawing a reported Rs 60 crore salary.

In November, Priya Kapur’s lawyers likened Karisma Kapoor’s children to “a wealthy Oliver Twist, who wants more”. The children, for their part, have accused Priya of submitting an incomplete disclosure of their father’s assets and earlier alleged that the will attributed to him was forged.

Sunjay Kapur, 53, died in London on June 12 last year while playing polo. Though early reports mentioned possible anaphylactic shock, British authorities later confirmed natural causes, citing left ventricular hypertrophy and ischemic heart disease.