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EstateDispute – The Delhi High Court has encouraged members of industrialist Sunjay Kapur’s family to explore mediation as a way to settle their ongoing inheritance conflict, noting that the dispute has unfolded publicly in an unseemly manner.

Court Expresses Concern Over Public Fallout

During a hearing on Tuesday, Justice Mini Pushkarna observed that the matter had reached what she described as a “sorry state of affairs,” with private family issues being argued openly in court. The judge suggested that a negotiated settlement could help bring closure to a conflict that has drawn attention due to the prominence of those involved.

The remarks came while the court was considering a petition filed by Kapur’s mother, Rani Kapur, who has sought the dissolution of a family trust. She has alleged that the trust was created on the basis of documents that were forged and fabricated, and therefore lacks legal validity.

Multiple Legal Proceedings Add Complexity

The inheritance battle is not limited to a single case. Three separate proceedings are currently underway, each involving different members of the Kapur family.

In one case, Kapur’s two children from his previous marriage to actor Karisma Kapoor have approached the court to challenge what has been described as his purported will. According to claims made in court filings, the document leaves his entire personal estate to his third wife, Priya Kapur, who is also the children’s stepmother.

Alongside this, Rani Kapur’s plea to dissolve the family trust forms another strand of the dispute. She has questioned the authenticity of the documents used to establish the trust and has asked the court to intervene.

A third proceeding has added a criminal dimension to the family rift. Priya Kapur has filed a complaint alleging defamation against Sunjay Kapur’s sister, Mandhira Kapur Smith, in connection with statements made during the course of the inheritance controversy.

Judge Calls for Constructive Resolution

Addressing counsel for all parties, Justice Pushkarna noted that the family had already endured a significant personal loss. She observed that while the family has been blessed with considerable financial resources, such wealth should not become a source of prolonged discord.

The court urged lawyers representing the various sides to consult their clients about the possibility of resolving the matter through mediation rather than continuing with adversarial litigation. The judge’s remarks indicated a preference for a solution that would preserve dignity and privacy, while reducing further strain on family relationships.

Mediation Seen as Alternative to Prolonged Litigation

Mediation, if agreed upon by all parties, would involve structured discussions facilitated by a neutral mediator, with the aim of reaching a mutually acceptable settlement. Such an approach could potentially address issues related to the validity of the will, the status of the family trust, and the allegations raised in the criminal complaint.

Legal observers note that disputes involving wills and trusts often become complex, particularly when multiple heirs and successive marriages are involved. Court proceedings can extend over months or even years, increasing both emotional and financial costs.

By recommending mediation at this stage, the Delhi High Court has signaled its willingness to support an out-of-court resolution, provided the parties consent. Whether the family members choose to pursue this route will depend on discussions between them and their respective legal advisers in the coming days.

The matter is expected to return before the court after the lawyers obtain instructions from their clients regarding the possibility of mediation.