"Don't wash dirty linen in public": Delhi High Court suggests mediation in Sunjay Kapur will dispute

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked the parties fighting over late businessman Sunjay Kapur’s estate to consider resolving the dispute through mediation. 

Sunjay Kapur’s estate is at the centre of a bitter legal battle before the High Court. His third wife, Priya Sachdev Kapur, claims he left his entire personal estate to her in a 2025 will she produced. 

However, his ex-wife Karisma Kapoor (through their two children) has challenged that will as forged. Sunjay’s mother, Rani Kapur, has also joined the challenge, questioning Priya’s control and the will’s authenticity. She has filed a suit to declare the family trust as illegal. 

Justice Mini Pushkarna today said that the case reflects a very “sorry state of affairs” and “a lot of dirty linen was being washed in the open”. 

The Court said that all the parties to the dispute have suffered a great loss, but God has blessed them with significant financial wealth, which should be enjoyed by everyone in a good manner. This blessing should not be turned into a curse, the Court added. 

“The effort should be from both sides. Ultimately, all the parties are suffering, and she [Rani Kapur] is already so old. No one should see a person’s son or daughter being demised when they are still alive. She has suffered a lot. You [Priya Kapur] are also suffering,” the Court remarked. 

Addressing Senior Advocate Akhil Sibal, who was representing Priya Kapur, the Court said that it expected his client to take a more proactive approach.

"Mr Sibal, this court expects that you will take a more proactive approach in this. Since you are at the helm of the affairs, you can make this happen," Justice Pushkarna said.

The Court added that Priya is alone now and that she and her children should also be taken care of.

"She is there alone now. She has to take care of the children. As far as Defendant No 1 [Priya Kapur] and her children are concerned, they also need to be taken care of," the Court stressed.

It then asked counsel representing all sides to speak with their clients and obtain instructions on going to mediation. 

Justice Pushkarna made the suggestion while considering a suit filed by Rani Kapur seeking the cancellation of the family trust, which is valued at several thousand crores. Rani Kapur sought directions that the interim dividend of around ₹28 crore should not be passed to Priya Kapur.

The Bench also considered an application filed by Priya Kapur seeking the rejection of her mother-in-law’s suit. Notices were issued in both applications today. 

However, as the Court was parting with the case, it said that the parties should consider resolving their dispute amicably. The Bench added that during mediation, the interests of all the parties must be taken care of. 

The case will be heard next on March 23. 

Senior Advocate Vaibhav Gaggar appeared for Rani Kapur.

Senior Advocate Akhil Sibal represented Priya Kapur.