The Supreme Court of India on Thursday, 7 May 2025, appointed former Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud as mediator to resolve a bitter family dispute between Rani Kapur and Priya Sachdev Kapur over the alleged RK Family Trust linked to the Sona Group estate. The order was passed after all parties agreed to explore a settlement through mediation, with the next hearing scheduled for August.

The Court's Direction

A Bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan passed the order, urging all parties to participate in mediation with an open mind. The Bench also directed parties to refrain from making public statements or posting about the dispute on social media. Justice Pardiwala orally remarked, "It's a family dispute; let it be confined among the family only. It should not be a source of entertainment."

The court added: "The endeavour should be to resolve the dispute and put an end to the matter. We firmly believe all parties should participate in the mediation with an open mind." The apex court said it would await a preliminary report from the mediator before taking the matter further.

Background: What the Dispute Is About

Rani Kapur, aged 80, has challenged the creation and control of the so-called RK Family Trust — also referred to as the Rani Kapur Family Trust — describing it as fraudulent and illegal. According to the suit, she is the sole beneficiary of the estate of her late husband, industrialist Dr Surinder Kapur, who passed away in 2015. His will was probated by the Bombay High Court in 2016, allegedly bequeathing all movable and immovable properties to her.

Rani Kapur's petition alleged that despite this, her entire estate was clandestinely diverted into a newly created trust without her knowledge or informed consent. She described herself as a victim of "illegal acts, forgery and undue influence", and claimed that within days of the death of her son, industrialist Sunjay Kapur, control over key group companies was assumed without her knowledge.

Earlier Supreme Court Action

On 27 April 2025, the apex court had issued notice on Rani Kapur's plea and indicated that mediation could be an appropriate mechanism for resolving the dispute, particularly in view of her advanced age. The appointment of former CJI Chandrachud as mediator follows that indication, with the court now formally structuring the resolution process.

Delhi High Court Grants Interim Protection to Sunjay Kapur's Children

In a related development, the Delhi High Court recently granted interim protection to Samaira Kapur and Kiaan Kapur — children of Sunjay Kapur from his previous marriage with Bollywood actor Karisma Kapoor — restraining Priya Kapur from dissipating or creating third-party rights over key portions of the deceased industrialist's estate pending adjudication of the inheritance dispute.

A single-judge Bench of Justice Jyoti Singh held that the estate of the deceased must be preserved during the pendency of the proceedings, noting that suspicious circumstances surrounding the purported will had been raised by the plaintiffs as well as Rani Kapur. The court restrained Priya Kapur from alienating, transferring, pledging, or altering the equity and shareholding structure in Sunjay Kapur's Indian companies, and also barred withdrawal of provident fund amounts, disposal of artworks, personal effects, and cryptocurrencies linked to the estate.

What Happens Next

The mediation proceedings before former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud will be confined to disputes among family members. The Supreme Court will take up the matter again in August 2025, after receiving a preliminary report from the mediator. The outcome of the mediation could determine the future control and distribution of the Sona Group estate, which remains at the centre of one of India's most closely watched inheritance battles.