Did Judge Critique Priya Sachdev Kapur's Weak Defense in Sunjay Kapur's Legal Battle?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- High-profile legal battles can expose underlying family tensions.
- Validating a Will is crucial to ensure the rightful distribution of assets.
- Judicial scrutiny plays a vital role in addressing allegations of forgery.
- Communication between family members and legal representatives is essential in inheritance matters.
- Legal representation can significantly impact the outcome of estate disputes.
Mumbai, Oct 15 (NationPress) The recent proceedings at the Delhi High Court regarding the estate of the deceased industrialist Sunjay Kapur unfolded with unexpected tension on Wednesday.
The flaws in Priya Kapur’s defense became increasingly apparent as her attorney, Rajiv Nayar, struggled to uphold a Will that seems laden with contradictions. Justice Jyoti Singh, presiding over the case, sharply criticized the assertions made by Priya Sachdev through her counsel.
Rajiv's arguments were heavily reliant on technical objections, positing that Sunjay’s children, Samaira and Kiaan, had not formally contested the Will in their partition lawsuit. However, Justice Singh dismantled this procedural argument, highlighting how Rajiv’s focus on form over substance failed to alleviate the profound skepticism surrounding the March 21, 2025 document, which allegedly bequeaths most of Sunjay’s personal assets to his third spouse, Priya.
When Rajiv contended that the plaintiffs’ case was “not maintainable” due to their failure to request formal invalidation of the Will, and that they were aware of the Will since July 30, 2025, Justice Singh interjected sharply. “Were the plaintiffs provided a copy of the Will on July 30?” she inquired, “or was it merely recited to them?”
In response, Rajiv stated it was only recited. Justice Singh continued pressing, asking, “How can they be expected to challenge something they have never seen?”
The allegedly forged Will, the focal point of the dispute, is fraught with evident errors and was signed mere days before the passing of Sunjay Kapur, who was renowned for his meticulousness.
Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, representing actress Karisma Kapoor's children, Samaira and Kiaan, asserted in court, “These are not mere slips; they are the signatures of a forged hand, unfamiliar with the man it pretends to represent.”
He contended that the Will was “false in spirit and intent,” aimed at excluding Sunjay’s own children and mother from his legacy.
Both children have accused Priya Kapur of manipulating the will to seize the entirety of the estate. In their petition to the Delhi High Court, the siblings are demanding that one-fifth of the estate be allocated to each, as they are the rightful heirs of Sunjay Kapur.
The siblings claimed through their legal counsel that they maintained regular contact with their father through meetings, visits, vacations, video and voice calls, and messages, whether one-on-one or in various WhatsApp groups.