The Delhi High Court is currently hearing a property dispute involving the late industrialist Sunjay Kapur, with Karisma Kapoor's children, Samaira and Kiaan Raj Kapur, challenging a will that they allege is fraudulent and has deprived them of their rightful inheritance.
Priya Kapur, Sunjay Kapur's wife, sought permission from the court to file the list of his assets in a sealed cover, citing the sensitive nature of the financial details and potential cybersecurity concerns. However, Karisma Kapoor's children, through their lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani, opposed this request, arguing that "confidentiality is a cloak under which you fritter away the assets". They expressed concerns that hiding the details of the assets would prevent them from verifying the transactions and ensuring their rightful share. They also claimed that two bank accounts had been "wiped clean".
Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, representing Karisma Kapoor's children, argued against a media gag, stating that both sides have been publicly discussing the case. He pointed out that there were claims the children had a ₹1,900-crore stake in the RK trust, which is unrelated to the case involving personal assets. Sources close to Karisma Kapoor have stated that the children do not have access to the money in the RK trust, which is Sunjay Kapur's family trust named after his mother, Rani Kapur.
The Delhi High Court allowed Priya Kapur to submit the details of Sunjay Kapur's assets in a sealed cover. The court acknowledged the concerns raised by Karisma Kapoor's children regarding their right to question and verify the disclosed assets. Justice Jyoti Singh noted that a confidentiality clause could impede their ability to verify the list and defend their interests. The court sought judicial precedents for sealed cover submissions of asset disclosures.
Senior Advocate Amit Sibal, representing Rani Kapur, Sunjay's mother, requested a copy of the will to independently verify its authenticity and potentially conduct forensic testing. He argued that a confidentiality clause should not obstruct this process, emphasizing that the law should apply equally to all, regardless of wealth.
Ultimately, the Delhi High Court allowed the petition to submit the details in a sealed cover. The court has asked Priya Kapur to disclose details of all his movable and immovable assets. The legal battle underscores the complexities and sensitivities surrounding high-profile estate disputes, particularly when questions of authenticity and transparency arise.
