The Delhi High Court has raised sharp questions in the ongoing property dispute involving late businessman Sanjay Kapoor. The case has drawn attention because it includes Sanjay’s widow Priya Kapoor, his former wife and actress Karisma Kapoor, and the children from his first marriage.
During a recent hearing, the court directed Priya Kapoor to file a complete list of Sanjay’s movable and immovable assets. However, the bench led by Justice Jyoti Singh refused to grant an immediate order for status quo on the properties.
Karisma Kapoor Drawn Into the Dispute
The case gained attention when Karisma Kapoor’s children approached the Delhi High Court seeking their rightful share in their father’s estate. Represented by senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, the children argued that they had been denied their legal rights.
Jethmalani informed the court that the lawsuit would now be formally registered. He also noted that additional details about Sanjay Kapoor’s personal assets were still being collected. The next hearing has been scheduled for October 9.
The court asked Priya Kapoor why she was hesitant to provide Karisma Kapoor’s children with a copy of the will. The bench questioned, “Why should the children not receive the copy of the will? Even if there is a non-disclosure agreement, we can create a confidentiality club. We do this often in intellectual property cases.”
Priya Kapoor’s Position
During the hearing, Priya Kapoor’s counsel, senior advocate Rajiv Nayar, argued that the lawsuit was not maintainable. He highlighted that only six days before the suit was filed, both children had received assets worth 1,900 crore rupees through a trust.
Priya’s legal team emphasized that Sanjay Kapoor’s death was sudden. He passed away while playing polo earlier this year. Representing Priya, Nayar told the court, “I am a widow with a six-year-old child. For 15 years, these people were not seen anywhere. Now they have come forward to claim property.”
The court directed Priya Kapoor to submit a detailed list of all assets within two weeks. It also instructed that replies should be filed within one week after that. Summons have been issued in the case, and notices were also served on the interim relief plea.
Role of Sanjay Kapoor’s Mother
The dispute became even more complex when Sanjay Kapoor’s mother, Rani Kapoor, challenged the validity of the will. Through her lawyer, she claimed that assets worth 10,000 crore rupees rightfully belonged to her. She added that as an 80-year-old woman, she had been unfairly deprived.
Rani’s lawyer told the court, “This is something incredibly wrong. The property should have been mine. The will is questionable and unfair.”
This added another dimension to the already complicated inheritance battle, involving Priya Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor’s children, and other family members.
The Controversial Will
At the center of the dispute is a will allegedly executed by Sanjay Kapoor on March 21, 2025. According to the document, all of Sanjay’s personal assets were left to Priya Kapoor.
Karisma Kapoor’s children have contested this will. They argue that Priya Kapoor unfairly excluded them from their father’s estate. They also questioned why a will benefiting only Priya Kapoor should be considered valid when Sanjay had two children from his first marriage.
Karisma Kapoor’s Past With Sanjay
Karisma Kapoor married Sanjay Kapoor in 2003. The couple shared a marriage of 13 years before divorcing in 2016. They had two children together, a son and a daughter.
Karisma’s children have now argued, through their mother, that they were unlawfully denied their share in their father’s estate after his sudden death in June this year in the United Kingdom.
The petition named Priya Kapoor, her minor son, Sanjay’s mother Rani Kapoor, and Shraddha Suri Marwah, the alleged executor of the will, as respondents.
Courtroom Exchanges
The courtroom witnessed heated exchanges during the hearings. Priya Kapoor’s lawyers insisted that the lawsuit had no grounds, citing the large assets already transferred to Karisma’s children. On the other hand, Karisma’s legal team argued that inheritance rights cannot be dismissed on technicalities.
Justice Jyoti Singh’s bench made it clear that transparency was essential. The court emphasized that all relevant documents, including the will and the list of properties, should be shared. The bench said it was prepared to put confidentiality measures in place if needed.
Family Rift in Public View
The case has brought private family matters into the public spotlight. Sanjay Kapoor’s sudden death created a vacuum, leading to disputes over his vast estate. The claims of his widow, his former wife’s children, and his mother reflect a family divided over wealth and inheritance.
Priya Kapoor has maintained that she is the lawful widow and guardian of Sanjay’s minor son. She also argued that her family’s well-being was now under threat due to the property claims. Meanwhile, Karisma Kapoor’s children continue to press their demand for fairness, highlighting that they are Sanjay’s legitimate heirs as well.
What Lies Ahead
The Delhi High Court has not yet passed any final orders on the distribution of assets. However, by directing Priya Kapoor to disclose all details of Sanjay’s estate, the court has ensured that the dispute will move toward greater clarity.
The next hearing on October 9 is expected to be crucial. Both sides are likely to present more evidence and legal arguments. The question of the will’s validity and the rightful claimants to Sanjay Kapoor’s fortune will remain at the center of the case.
Broader Implications
The case is significant not only because it involves a high-profile family but also because it raises questions about inheritance law in India. It highlights issues of second marriages, rights of children from previous marriages, and the role of wills in property disputes.
Legal experts note that courts often face challenges in balancing traditional inheritance laws with modern family structures. The Kapoor case reflects these challenges vividly, especially with the presence of multiple claimants and a contested will.
The dispute over Sanjay Kapoor’s estate has placed Karisma Kapoor, her children, and Priya Kapoor in a direct legal battle. With claims from Sanjay’s mother adding to the complexity, the case has drawn widespread public interest.
The Delhi High Court’s insistence on transparency and documentation signals that the matter will be carefully examined. As the next hearing approaches, the future of Sanjay Kapoor’s fortune remains uncertain.
For now, the Kapoor family’s property battle continues to unfold in court, mixing questions of law, inheritance, and family ties in a case that will be closely watched.
