Delhi HC Addresses Unpaid University Fees in Karisma Kapoor's Daughter's Case

The Delhi High Court is currently overseeing a dispute involving Karisma Kapoor's children, Samaira and Kiaan, and their stepmother, Priya Kapur, concerning the estate of their late father, Sunjay Kapur. A significant point of contention arose on Friday when it was brought to the court's attention that Samaira Kapoor's university fees in the United States have remained unpaid for two months.

Samaira and Kiaan are challenging their late father's will, which reportedly bequeaths his entire estate, estimated to be worth ₹30,000 crore (approximately $3.6 billion USD), to Priya Kapur. The siblings have accused Priya Kapur, their father's third wife, of forging the will and attempting to seize complete control of the assets, thereby excluding them from their rightful inheritance. They have requested the court to recognize them as legal heirs and grant them a one-fifth share each in their father's assets.

During the hearing, Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, representing Karisma Kapoor's children, informed Justice Jyoti Singh that Samaira's university fees had not been paid for two months, violating the original matrimonial decree that mandated Sunjay Kapur to cover their educational expenses. Jethmalani argued that since the children's estate is managed by Priya Kapur, it is her responsibility to ensure the fees are paid.

However, Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar, representing Priya Kapur, refuted the claim, asserting that all expenses raised by the children have been taken care of. Nayar accused the opposing counsel of deliberately raising the issue to gain media attention. "The purpose is that the same should come in the newspaper," he stated.

Justice Jyoti Singh firmly intervened, expressing her disapproval of turning the proceedings into a "melodramatic" spectacle. The judge urged Priya Kapur's counsel, Shyel Trehan, to ensure such issues are resolved outside of court and not brought before the bench again. "I don't want to spend more than 30 seconds on this. This question should not come to my court again. I don't want this hearing to be melodramatic," Justice Singh stated. The court emphasized that it did not want the hearing to become "melodramatic" and directed the parties to resolve such matters privately.

In response to the allegations, Priya Kapur's legal team had previously claimed that Karisma Kapoor's children had already received ₹1900 crore (approximately $228 million USD) from Sunjay Kapur's estate. However, the children's legal team countered that they do not have access to this amount and that Priya Kapur retains control of the assets. The children maintain that the will presented by Priya Kapur is forged.

The Delhi High Court has directed Priya Kapur to submit a comprehensive list of Sunjay Kapur's movable and immovable assets. The case is scheduled for further hearing, where the court will continue to address the dispute over the inheritance and the validity of the will. The proceedings also include accusations against Sunjay's mother, Rani Kapur, who the children claim was coerced into signing documents during a period of mourning.