Delhi HC orders freeze on Sunjay Kapur’s assets until will is proven valid
Court says “suspicious circumstances” around the will must be resolved; Karisma Kapoor’s children seek protection of assets in Rs 30,000 crore estate dispute.
The Delhi High Court on Thursday (April 30) ordered that the assets of the late Sunjay Kapur be kept intact for now, holding that questions raised by his children from his marriage to actor Karisma Kapoor must be fully addressed before any document is accepted as his final will.
The High Court placed the onus on his first wife, Priya Kapur, to dispel what it described as “suspicious circumstances” surrounding the will.
The interim order was issued by Justice Jyoti Singh while hearing a plea filed by Karisma Kapoor's children seeking to prevent any transfer or disposal of their father’s assets, which are said to be valued at around Rs 30,000 crore.
Children challenge authenticity of will
The request arose within an ongoing civil suit in which the children have challenged the authenticity of the will said to govern the distribution of Kapur’s estate.
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"Having heard and on examination of the material on record, I have the considered view that all legitimate suspicious circumstances raised by the plaintiffs will have to be completely removed by defendant number one (Priya Kapur) before the document is accepted as the last will," the judge said.
"Plaintiffs have made out a prima facie case that the assets which are subject matter need to be protected, preserved, pending disposal of the suit," she added.
Restrictions imposed
Justice Singh ordered that the equity shareholdings in the three Indian companies of the deceased cannot be changed and also restrained the disposal of his personal effects, including artwork.
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The court said if the assets are not preserved and Priya Kapur ultimately fails to prove the validity and genuineness of the will, the deceased's children from his marriage with Karisma Kapoor, his second wife, and his mother Rani Kapur would be deprived of their legitimate shares.
"I have restrained from alienating, transferring, pledging, liquidating or in any other manner changing the equity shareholdings in the three Indian companies. I have restrained from withdrawing the PF amount. I have restrained from withdrawing monies from the three accounts except to the extent of discharging liabilities towards the children," the judge said.
Foreign immovable assets excluded
The court clarified that it has not passed the order with respect to immovable foreign assets.
A detailed copy of the verdict is awaited.
Sunjay Kapur died on June 12, 2025, after collapsing during a polo match in England. He had reportedly suffered a sudden cardiac arrest.
(With agency inputs)