Major Relief For Karisma Kapoor's Children From Delhi High Court; Court Strips Stepmother Of A Right

New Delhi: Delivering a verdict on Thursday regarding a petition filed on behalf of film actress Karisma Kapoor's children (Kiaan and Samaira), the Delhi High Court granted them significant relief. The Court has issued an interim injunction restraining these children's stepmother—Priya Kapoor, the third wife of the late businessman Sanjay Kapoor—from engaging in any form of transaction involving Sanjay Kapoor's assets.

What did the Delhi High Court say?

In its order, the Court stated that Sanjay Kapoor's bank accounts and his cryptocurrency holdings located abroad shall remain frozen for the time being. The bench, presided over by Justice Jyoti Singh, clarified that since the trial of the case is likely to be protracted, it is imperative to safeguard the assets during this period to ensure they are neither dissipated nor transferred in any manner.

The Court directed that the entirety of Sanjay Kapoor's estate must be preserved so that its status remains unaltered until the final adjudication of the matter. The Court further directed the respondent (Priya Kapoor) to provide a comprehensive response to all concerns raised by the petitioners.

This interim order was issued in response to a petition filed by Karisma Kapoor's children, wherein they had sought interim relief regarding the dispute over Sanjay Kapoor's assets. While challenging an alleged will, Karisma Kapoor's children had expressed apprehensions that the assets could be manipulated or misappropriated.

How Much Assets Did Sanjay Kapoor Have?

Sanjay Kapoor, one of the country's prominent businessmen, passed away in London last June. He left behind an estate estimated to be worth approximately ₹30,000 crore. Kiaan and Samaira—the children of Sanjay Kapoor and his second wife, Karisma Kapoor—have alleged that Sanjay's third wife, Priya Kapoor, fabricated a fraudulent will in their late father's name and submitted an incomplete inventory of his assets.

While delivering its verdict in this matter, the Court further observed that the onus of dispelling the doubts surrounding the authenticity of the will lies with Priya Kapoor. The Court also noted that, *prima facie*, Karisma Kapoor's children have successfully established the merits of their case.

Did Sanjay Kapoor's Mother File Petition in Supreme Court?

Earlier, in another matter related to the same family, the Supreme Court last Monday sought a response from Priya Kapoor—the wife of the late industrialist Sanjay Kapoor—and others regarding a petition in which his mother has sought directions to declare the family trust 'invalid.'

In this petition, filed by 80-year-old Rani Kapoor, she has alleged that the trust established in her name in October 2017 was created using forged, fabricated, and fraudulent documents. Acting on her petition, the Court has issued notices to Priya Kapoor and the others involved, and has suggested that both parties explore the option of mediation.

During the hearing, the Court urged the parties involved in the dispute concerning the Sona Group Family Trust to explore the avenue of mediation. A bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Vijay Bishnoi remarked to the counsel appearing on behalf of Kapoor, "Why are you all fighting? This is not the age for your client to be fighting."

The Bench observed, "Do try the path of mediation at least once. Otherwise, all of this will be in vain. You are 80 years old. This is not the age for your client to be fighting." The Court has scheduled the next hearing of this matter for May 7.