The Delhi High Court sharply warned against “melodramatic” proceedings on Friday during a hearing in the contentious inheritance battle over the estate of late businessman Sunjay Kapur. Justice Jyoti Singh’s remarks came after an allegation was raised by lawyers for Karisma Kapoor’s children that their US university fees were unpaid, a claim their stepmother, Priya Sachdev Kapur, immediately refuted.
The judge ordered the lawyers to resolve such matters privately, stating, “I don’t want this hearing to be melodramatic. This question should not come to my court again.”
The heated exchange occurred during arguments over an interim injunction. Karisma Kapoor’s two children are suing their stepmother, Priya Kapur, and have sought to restrain her from alienating or selling any assets from their father’s estate while the case is pending.
In the main suit, the siblings accuse Priya Kapur, who was Sunjay Kapur’s third wife, of forging his will to gain total control of his property.
During Friday’s hearing, the proceedings took a tense turn when Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, appearing for the children, alleged that their daughter’s university fees in the United States had gone unpaid for two months. Jethmalani argued that under the original matrimonial decree, Sunjay Kapur was responsible for the children’s educational expenses. “The children’s estate is with Defendant No.1 [Priya Kapur]. So, it’s up to her,” Jethmalani stated.
Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar, representing Priya Kapur, forcefully challenged the assertion. He stressed that all expenses raised by the children have been “taken care of” and accused the opposing counsel of raising the issue solely for media attention. “The purpose is that the same should come in the newspaper,” Nayar said.
Justice Singh swiftly intervened, expressing her disapproval. “I don’t want to spend more than 30 seconds on this. This question should not come to my court again,” she said, placing the “onus” on Priya Kapur’s counsel, Senior Advocate Shyel Trehan, to ensure such disputes do not reach the courtroom.
The core of the inheritance dispute is a will dated March 21, 2025, which allegedly leaves Sunjay Kapur’s entire personal estate to Priya Kapur. Sunjay Kapur and actress Karisma Kapoor were married from 2003 to 2016 and have a son and a daughter together. He later married Priya Kapur.
Continuing his arguments against the interim injunction, Nayar maintained that the will was “authentic” and noted that it had been shared in the family’s WhatsApp group. “Execution and attestation of the Will is proved by the two witnesses, and until trial they have to be treated as valid,” he argued.
The High Court stated it wants to conclude arguments on the injunction application “expeditiously” and scheduled the next hearing for November 19.
