The children of Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor are locked in a high-stakes legal battle against Priya Kapur, the widowed wife of industrialist Sunjay Kapur, over his colossal estate estimated at a staggering Rs 30,000 crore. The dispute erupted following Sunjay Kapur's demise in June this year, centering on allegations that his will was forged. The matter, currently subjudice, saw fresh arguments presented in a hearing on Thursday, December 4.
Courtroom Drama Over Fees and Financial Support
The legal tussle has seen its share of dramatic claims. In a previous hearing, Karisma Kapoor's daughter, Samaira Kapoor, had alleged that two months of her university fees were left unpaid. This prompted the court to advise both parties to steer clear of melodrama. In response, Priya Kapur's lawyer, Sheyl Trehan, presented detailed documentation to counter this claim.
Trehan produced a receipt showing a payment of Rs 95 lakh per semester, confirming that the fee had been cleared. She clarified that the next installment for the second semester was only due in December. However, in the latest hearing, the counsel for Karisma's children presented a different perspective on these financial transactions.
Senior Counsel Mahesh Jethmalani, representing Samaira and her brother, argued that payments for the children's fees and living expenses were not acts of voluntary generosity. He stated they were mandated by binding Supreme Court directions from earlier matrimonial proceedings between Karisma and Sunjay Kapur. Jethmalani emphasized that compliance with court orders cannot be repackaged as discretionary kindness or used to justify a will that significantly reduces the children's inheritance rights.
The Allegation of a 'Digital Ghost' and a Questionable Will
Jethmalani's arguments took a sharp technological turn as he labelled Sunjay Kapur a "digital ghost" in the context of the disputed will. He stressed that there is no digital trail—no email, message, instruction, or confirmation—from Sunjay Kapur showing his involvement in preparing or approving the document in question.
He pointed out that even the WhatsApp chats presented by those supporting the will's validity lack any direct participation from Sunjay Kapur. For a man known to be a tech-savvy businessman, this complete absence of a digital footprint is, according to Jethmalani, inconsistent with the claim that the will represents a carefully considered estate plan.
The will is said to have been created in March 2025, a period when Kapur was reportedly in good health, actively engaged in his business, and financially secure. There were no indications of medical emergencies or external pressure at that time.
Jethmalani urged the court to question the sudden and drastic change in Kapur's intentions regarding his property, especially when it was claimed that proper trust arrangements for his children were already established. With no clear rationale or evidence for such an abrupt shift, the timing itself raises serious doubts about the will's authenticity.
Legal Hurdles: Evidence and Certification Issues
Adding another layer of legal complexity, Jethmalani raised critical procedural objections. He argued that the digital records, including the crucial WhatsApp chats, have not been properly certified as required under Section 63 of the Indian Evidence Act.
Despite the phones belonging to Sunjay Kapur, Priya Kapur, and a man named Dinesh being central to the evidence, no certification has been provided for these devices. On this basis, Jethmalani contended that the WhatsApp messages should not be admitted as evidence in the case at all.
The battle over one of Bollywood's most high-profile industrial fortunes continues, with the next court hearing awaited to see how these arguments on digital evidence, financial obligations, and the mysterious creation of the will will unfold.
