New Delhi, March 30 (NationPress) A court in Delhi has postponed the proceedings in the criminal defamation lawsuit initiated by Priya Kapur, the widow of deceased entrepreneur Sunjay Kapur, against her sister-in-law Mandhira Kapur Smith. The court has allowed additional time for the complainant to respond to a motion filed by the accused.

The case was heard at the Patiala House Courts and is now scheduled for April 22, following Priya Kapur’s request for more time to address an application submitted by Mandhira Kapur under Section 330 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which demands the disclosure of documents that support the complaint.

The court granted this request and postponed the hearing, instructing the complainant to submit her response before the next scheduled date.

In her application, Mandhira Kapur is seeking copies of all documents that Priya Kapur relies upon in her defamation case.

During a prior session, the court issued summons to Mandhira Kapur regarding this matter.

Priya Kapur has accused Mandhira Kapur Smith and another individual of conducting a prolonged campaign filled with false and defamatory remarks against her via online platforms, podcasts, and media interviews.

The complaint asserts that the statements made through these interviews and podcasts, which were later circulated by various media outlets, are inaccurate, deceptive, and have inflicted severe damage to Priya Kapur’s reputation.

The complainant alleges that the content features personal attacks and unsubstantiated claims presented as facts, despite the matter being under judicial consideration, which constitutes criminal defamation aimed at damaging and harassing her publicly.

This criminal case is part of a larger legal conflict between the involved parties.

In a related matter, the Delhi High Court has requested both parties to avoid making any public statements against one another while deliberating on a civil defamation lawsuit filed by Priya Kapur.

A single-judge panel led by Justice Mini Pushkarna has remarked that both parties should maintain dignity and refrain from making any statements, either directly or indirectly, against each other.

The Delhi High Court has also issued a notice regarding the interim relief application and has instructed Mandhira Kapur Smith to provide her response, with the next hearing set for May 14.

In her civil suit, Priya Kapur is pursuing damages amounting to Rs 20 crore, alongside requests for permanent and mandatory injunctions to prevent the defendants from disseminating or publishing any supposedly defamatory statements against her.

As per the complaint, following Sunjay Kapur’s passing on June 12, 2025, Mandhira Kapur allegedly initiated a "systematic and organized" effort to tarnish her image through interviews, podcasts, and social media posts, thereby causing ongoing harm to her reputation and mental well-being.