Petition seeks confidentiality in multi-crore estate dispute
New Delhi | Priya Sachdev Kapur has approached the Delhi High Court seeking permission to submit details of her late husband Sunjay Kapur’s movable and immovable assets in a sealed cover. The plea comes amid the ongoing partition suit filed by Bollywood actor Karisma Kapoor and Sunjay Kapur’s children, Samaira and Kiaan Raj, who are contesting a share in the late businessman’s estate.
The petition highlights concerns over cybersecurity risks and potential misuse of sensitive financial information. Priya has proposed that all parties, including Karisma’s children and Sunjay’s mother, Rani Kapur, sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before accessing the documents. Alternatively, she suggested forming a “Confidentiality Club” to restrict access to designated advocates and representatives.
Court concerns over transparency
During the hearing, Justice Jyoti Singh raised concerns about filing assets under sealed cover, noting that as beneficiaries, Karisma Kapoor’s children have a right to verify the estate details. The judge questioned how the children could defend their claims if access to the documents is restricted under confidentiality.
Senior Advocate Shyel Trehan, representing Priya, argued that the asset details contained highly sensitive information, proposing only two pages be confidential. “As far as I am concerned, this is a lot of information to be in public,” she submitted, while agreeing to share the documents with all parties under confidentiality.
In contrast, the plaintiffs’ counsel contended that bank accounts had been depleted and property details should not be hidden. “Information about properties could not be concealed. The world should know at large that they don’t have to deal with those properties,” the counsel argued.
Background of the partition suit
The petition follows the Delhi High Court’s September 10 order directing Priya to submit a comprehensive statement of Sunjay Kapur’s assets and liabilities as of June 12. The court had also ordered the unregistered Will of Sunjay Kapur, currently in Priya’s custody, to be filed in a sealed cover.
The partition suit filed by Samaira and Kiaan Raj through their mother Karisma Kapoor seeks division of the multi-crore estate, rendition of accounts, and a permanent injunction restraining Priya and other family members from selling or alienating estate properties. The next substantive hearing is scheduled for October 9.
Disputed Will and family tensions
During earlier hearings, Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, representing the children, questioned the authenticity of the Will, claiming it was produced under “suspicious circumstances,” including sudden disclosure at the Taj Hotel. He noted the unregistered Will had never been shared with the family despite assurances from Sunjay Kapur regarding his children’s financial security.
Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar, representing Priya, argued that the children were already beneficiaries of family trusts and had recently received Rs 1,900 crore. “I am a widow with a six-year-old child. For 15 years, they were nowhere to be seen,” he said.
Sunjay’s mother, Rani Kapur, represented by Senior Advocate Vaibhav Gaggar, also objected, stating that her rights under the family trust were undermined after Priya’s marriage. She expressed concern for her grandchildren, saying, “There’s something unholy going on. I am 80 years old and concerned for my grandchildren. Despite repeated mails, I never received a copy of the Will.”
Conclusion
The Delhi High Court is set to examine whether Sunjay Kapur’s asset details can be filed under confidentiality without compromising the rights of his children and other beneficiaries. The October 9 hearing is expected to address both asset disclosure and restrictions on alienation of estate properties.