The Delhi High Court on Wednesday concluded the hearing in the high-stakes legal battle over the ₹30,000 crore estate of late industrialist Sunjay Kapur. The court has reserved its orders on an interim injunction plea filed by Kapur's children with actor Karisma Kapoor.
Court Concludes Hearing, Bars Further Filings
Justice Jyoti Singh noted that all oral arguments had concluded and the written submissions from the contesting parties were now formally on record. The court confirmed that all procedural requirements had been met and made it clear that no further filings would be entertained before the final order is pronounced.
With all arguments submitted, the court has reserved its judgment on the interim injunction plea. This decision will set the course for the larger inheritance dispute concerning one of India's most valuable personal estates.
The Core of the ₹30,000 Crore Dispute
The case revolves around a purported will of Sunjay Kapur, which is reported to govern assets worth a staggering ₹30,000 crore. The document is being challenged by Kapur's children with Karisma Kapoor – Samaira and Kiaan Raj. They have questioned the will's authenticity before the Delhi High Court.
In sharp allegations made earlier, the children accused their stepmother, Priya Kapur, of being "greedy" and labeled her a "Cinderella stepmother." Their legal counsel argued that the will contains "glaring errors" and "bloopers" that are "very uncharacteristic" of Sunjay Kapur.
"How can he have written his daughter's address wrong and misspelt his son's name in multiple places in the will?" the counsel questioned, as reported by PTI. They asserted that the document's casual nature and mistakes indicate it could not have been prepared, read, or made by Sunjay Kapur himself.
The counsel further alleged that there was no evidence anyone except Priya Kapur and others prepared the will, strongly implying forgery.
Arguments and Counter-Arguments in Court
Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar, representing Priya Kapur, robustly defended the will's validity. He denied claims that assets were siphoned abroad or concealed, stating that a comprehensive list of assets had been filed, supported by financial records and sworn disclosures.
Nayar also disputed the figure of ₹60 crore annual income attributed to the deceased, calling it inaccurate. Responding to a claim about a high-value Rolex watch, he stated the allegation was based on images from a fake social media account, not Sunjay Kapur's authentic profile.
Opposing this, Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, appearing for Samaira and Kiaan Raj, argued the will was riddled with inconsistencies. He pointed to the use of feminine pronouns for the testator, the omission of Sunjay Kapur's mother, and the lack of registration. Jethmalani emphasized that Priya Kapur is both the propounder and sole beneficiary of the will, a circumstance he argued demands heightened judicial scrutiny.
Adding another layer to the dispute, Sunjay Kapur's mother, Rani Kapur, independently contested the will. Through her counsel, Senior Advocate Vaibhav Gaggar, she stated she was never informed of its existence and that it fails to even acknowledge her.
Rani Kapur argued it was highly improbable for her son to bequeath his entire personal estate solely to Priya, given his close bonds with his children, mother, and extended family. She alleged that Priya moved swiftly to consolidate control over businesses after Sunjay's death and that the asset statements filed in court were incomplete, omitting artworks, watches, bank accounts, and other investments.
The Delhi High Court's forthcoming order on the interim injunction will be a critical milestone, determining who controls the vast estate while the full challenge to the will's validity is decided.
