The inheritance dispute over the estate of late businessman Sunjay Kapur has taken a dramatic turn in the Delhi High Court. On Thursday, the court, led by Justice Jyoti Singh, raised sharp questions over the secrecy plea filed by Kapur’s widow, Priya Sachdev Kapur, who sought to keep details of his assets and liabilities confidential.
Court Challenges Request for Confidentiality
Priya Sachdev Kapur requested that her late husband’s financial records be submitted in a sealed cover or shared only with a restricted “Confidentiality Club” of lawyers and representatives bound by strict Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs).
Her counsel argued that disclosure in open court could pose security risks, citing concerns over sensitive details such as bank account numbers. They also pointed out that information from previous hearings was allegedly being discussed in “press conferences.”
However, the High Court expressed strong reservations. Justice Singh noted that excessive secrecy could infringe on the rights of Kapur’s children from his first marriage with actor Karisma Kapoor — Samaira and Kiaan Raj Kapur.
The judge stated:
“Allowing the application may be problematic for the simple reason that as the alleged beneficiaries of the estate, they have a right to question the assets disclosed. If they are bound by this confidentiality club, how will they ever defend their case?”
The Core Legal Dispute
The dispute began when Samaira and Kiaan, represented by their mother Karisma Kapoor, filed a partition suit to claim their share of their late father’s multi-crore estate, reportedly worth thousands of crores.
At the heart of the battle is a contested will, allegedly executed shortly before Sunjay Kapur’s death. The document reportedly leaves his entire personal estate to Priya Sachdev Kapur, excluding his children from his first marriage.
Karisma Kapoor’s counsel strongly opposed Priya’s secrecy plea, arguing that transparency was essential. They also raised alarming claims that certain bank accounts linked to the estate had already been “wiped off”, making full disclosure even more critical.
Wider Family Dispute
The matter is further complicated by the involvement of Sunjay Kapur’s mother, Rani Kapur, who has joined the legal proceedings. She alleges that her rights under the family trust were compromised after Priya Sachdev Kapur’s marriage to Sunjay and has questioned the circumstances surrounding the disclosure of the disputed will.
What’s Next?
The Delhi High Court had earlier, on September 10, directed Priya Sachdev Kapur to submit a comprehensive statement of her late husband’s assets and liabilities. While Thursday’s hearing did not result in a final ruling on the confidentiality request, the court’s observations make it clear that transparency and the rights of the children will remain central to the case.
The matter is expected to continue in the coming weeks, with the court balancing security concerns against the rightful claims of Sunjay Kapur’s heirs.
FAQs on Sunjay Kapur Estate Dispute
Q1: Who was Sunjay Kapur?
Sunjay Kapur was a prominent businessman and the former husband of Bollywood actor Karisma Kapoor. He later married Priya Sachdev Kapur.
Q2: Who is fighting for Sunjay Kapur’s estate?
The estate battle involves Priya Sachdev Kapur, Karisma Kapoor’s children (Samaira and Kiaan), and Sunjay Kapur’s mother, Rani Kapur.
Q3: What is the main dispute about?
The legal fight centers around a contested will that allegedly leaves Sunjay Kapur’s entire personal estate to Priya Sachdev Kapur, excluding his children from his first marriage.
Q4: Why did Priya Sachdev Kapur request confidentiality?
She argued that disclosing sensitive financial information in open court could pose security risks and suggested a sealed cover or confidentiality club approach.
Q5: What did the Delhi High Court say about the secrecy plea?
The court raised concerns that excessive secrecy could harm the rights of Karisma Kapoor’s children, who have the legal right to question and verify the disclosed assets.
Q6: What happens next in the case?
The matter is still under hearing, with the next session expected to focus on asset disclosure and the validity of the contested will.
