The Supreme Court of India has appointed former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud as a mediator in the ongoing family dispute involving late industrialist Sunjay Kapur's mother Rani Kapur and his wife Priya Kapur. The conflict centers on the management and control of a family trust allegedly established in October 2017 in the name of 80-year-old Rani Kapur.
Court Proceedings and Mediation Order
A bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Ujjal Bhuyan directed all parties to approach the mediation process with an open mind. The court also instructed them to refrain from making any public comments or discussing the issue on social media. "It is a family dispute. Let it be confined among the family only. It should not be a source of entertainment," the court remarked.
The apex court noted that during the previous hearing on April 27, it had already suggested mediation considering the sensitive nature of the matter. On Thursday, lawyers representing all sides agreed to the proposal, leading to the formal appointment of former CJI Chandrachud as mediator. "We shall await a preliminary report from the mediator and thereafter proceed further with the matter," the court said while scheduling the next hearing for August.
Background of the Dispute
After Sunjay Kapur's demise last year, his widowed wife Priya Sachdev Kapur and mother Rani Kapur have been embroiled in a legal battle over his estate. Earlier, a court had suggested to Rani that "80 is not the age to fight" and advised opting for mediation. Rani Kapur has moved the apex court seeking to have the trust declared "null and void," alleging that it was formed on the basis of "forged, fabricated and fraudulent" documents.
Ongoing Legal Battles
The Supreme Court had previously issued notices to Priya Kapur and other respondents on Rani Kapur's plea. The petition also sought a status quo on the transfer or alienation of the trust's assets and properties until the case is resolved. Meanwhile, the legal battle concerning the Kapur family's estate and assets is already pending before the Delhi High Court. The plea before the Supreme Court seeks to maintain status quo over all trust properties during the pendency of the proceedings.
Involvement of Sunjay Kapur's Children
In a related development, Sunjay Kapur's ex-wife Karisma Kapoor's children have also been in a legal dispute with Priya Kapur, alleging that she forged Sunjay's will. Recently, the court granted interim relief to Karisma's children and froze Sunjay's accounts. The case continues to unfold, with multiple parties seeking clarity on the distribution of assets and the validity of the trust.
