New Delhi: Actor Karisma Kapoor’s children, Samaira and Kiaan Raj, on Thursday accused their stepmother, Priya Kapur, of being “greedy” and compared her to the “Cinderella stepmother” during a hearing before the Delhi High Court. The remarks came while challenging their late father Sunjay Kapur’s purported will, which reportedly concerns assets worth around ₹30,000 crore.

Children contest late father’s will

The submissions were made before Justice Jyoti Singh, who was hearing the plea filed by the two children against Priya Kapur. The petition contests the validity of Sunjay Kapur’s alleged will, questioning the authenticity of the document and seeking a probe into possible forgery.

Counsel representing Samaira and Kiaan Raj alleged that Priya Kapur has already taken control of a major portion of Sunjay Kapur’s estate, claiming she “has got 60 per cent of the assets and approximately 12 per cent to her son,” while also securing “75 per cent of the trust.”

Counsel alleges forgery and manipulation

Arguing before the court, the children’s counsel claimed that there was “enough evidence” to conduct an investigation into the matter, stating that Priya Kapur was a nominee holding the assets and that “the extent of forgery” needed to be examined. The counsel sought a status quo order on the movement and handling of Sunjay Kapur’s assets until the issue is resolved.

“She is a nominee, and she holds the assets. How far the forgery of documents goes will have to be unravelled, and there is enough evidence to conduct a probe,” the counsel said.

‘Cinderella stepmother’ remark

Referring to Walt Disney’s 1950 film Cinderella, where the protagonist is mistreated by her stepmother, the counsel remarked that Priya Kapur was acting in a similar manner, allegedly attempting to restrict the shares due to the children. “This is a Cinderella stepmother,” he told the court, accusing Priya of being in a “glaring hurry” to limit the children’s inheritance.

Doubts over authenticity of will

The petitioners’ counsel further argued that the will in question was highly suspicious and lacked professional legal involvement. “Prima facie, Sunjay Kapur did not consult an advocate while making the current will. It is not possible that he would not have consulted a lawyer before creating a will and bequeathing such a large estate,” he said.

It was also alleged that the executor of the will received the document just a day before its official reading, and that the will was modified when Sunjay Kapur was on a holiday with his son. “Those who forged the document got rewarded,” the counsel claimed.

Court proceedings and next hearing

The court, which had earlier directed Priya Kapur to submit a sealed list of Sunjay Kapur’s assets, reiterated that the parties must refrain from sharing details of the dispute with the media. On September 10, the Delhi High Court had also ordered Priya to furnish the list of assets to the court for review.

Priya Kapur’s counsel informed the court that the family had already received ₹1,900 crore from the family trust.

Justice Jyoti Singh adjourned the matter, with the next hearing scheduled for October 13.