In a high-profile legal development, Bollywood actor Karisma Kapoor’s children, Samaira and Kiaan Kapur, have approached the Delhi High Court seeking their rightful share in the colossal estate of their late father, businessman Sunjay Kapur. The legal move follows allegations that the children were wrongfully excluded from Kapur’s will, potentially due to the controversial actions of their stepmother, Priya Kapur.

The Background: Sunjay Kapur’s Sudden Demise

Sunjay Kapur, the prominent industrialist and chairman of auto components giant Sona Comstar, passed away suddenly on June 12, 2025, during a polo match in Windsor, United Kingdom. Early reports speculated that Kapur suffered an anaphylactic shock after swallowing a bee. However, the official coroner’s report ruled his death as natural, attributing it to underlying heart disease. Kapur, aged 53 at the time of his death, was a US citizen and one of India’s notable industrialists, with a net worth reported by Forbes to be $1.2 billion (approximately ₹10,300 crore).

His death has triggered a complex and intensifying legal battle over his estimated ₹30,000 crore estate, drawing attention due to the prominence of his family and the vastness of his business empire.

The Family and Marriage History

Karisma Kapoor married Sunjay Kapur in 2003, and the couple had two children together: Samaira, born in 2005, and Kiaan, born in 2011. Their marriage lasted 13 years, culminating in a mutual consent divorce in 2016. Following the divorce, Karisma Kapoor retained custody of their children.

Sunjay Kapur had also been married twice before: first to fashion designer Nandita Mahtani (1996–2000), and later to Priya Kapur, his third wife, with whom he had a son, Azarius.

The Legal Battle: Allegations of Forged Will

The ongoing civil suit, filed in the Delhi High Court through Karisma Kapoor as their legal guardian, alleges that Priya Kapur attempted to usurp control of Sunjay Kapur’s entire estate by allegedly producing a forged will. According to the petition, Priya initially denied the existence of any will, asserting that all assets were held in the R.K. Family Trust. Later, she reportedly presented a document dated March 21, 2025, which purports to leave Sunjay Kapur’s entire personal estate to her.

The children and their legal team allege that this will is “forged and fabricated” and raise serious concerns over the manner in which it was disclosed. They claim that the original will was never shown to them, no copies were provided, and that its sudden presentation at a family meeting on July 30, 2025, was suspicious. The lawsuit further states that Priya Kapur, along with associates Dinesh Agarwal and Nitin Sharma, allegedly suppressed the will for over seven weeks before revealing it.

Parties Involved in the Case

The lawsuit names multiple defendants:

• Priya Kapur – Sunjay Kapur’s widow and the third wife, accused of attempting to manipulate the will.

• Azarius Kapur – Priya’s minor son.

• Rani Kapur – Sunjay Kapur’s mother, who resides at the family farmhouse in Rajokri.

• Shradha Suri Marwah – The purported executor of the contested will.

The plaintiffs argue that their father had maintained a close and loving relationship with them, ensuring their financial security by initiating ventures in their names and acquiring assets for their benefit. The children seek recognition as Class I legal heirs, requesting a one-fifth share of the estate each, along with an interim freezing of all Sunjay Kapur’s personal assets until the dispute is resolved.

Court Proceedings and Interim Relief Sought

The Delhi High Court has scheduled a hearing on September 10, 2025, to review the petition challenging the validity of Sunjay Kapur’s will. In their plea, Samaira and Kiaan have emphasized that neither their father nor Priya Kapur ever informed them about the will’s existence. The petition describes Priya Kapur’s conduct as a clear attempt to “usurp full control” over the estate, potentially excluding other legal heirs.

The lawsuit also requests:

• Partition of the estate – Each child to receive a one-fifth share.

• Rendition of accounts – Full disclosure of financial and asset details.

• Permanent injunction – Preventing Priya Kapur and other defendants from disposing of or controlling assets.

• Interim freezing of assets – To ensure no transfer or manipulation occurs before the court’s decision.

Sunjay Kapur’s Business Legacy

Sunjay Kapur took the helm of Sona Comstar in 2015 after the death of his father, Dr. Surinder Kapur. Under his leadership, the company grew into a global leader in auto components, with a market capitalization exceeding ₹31,000 crore (approximately $4 billion), according to Bloomberg. Sona Comstar operates 12 manufacturing facilities across India, China, Mexico, Serbia, and the United States, employing over 5,000 people. The company also benefited significantly from the booming electric vehicle (EV) sector in recent years.

The Controversy Surrounding His Death

Adding to the legal complexities, Sunjay Kapur’s mother, Rani Kapur, has formally requested UK authorities to investigate the “unexplained circumstances” surrounding her son’s death. She alleges the presence of “credible and concerning evidence” suggesting that his death may not have been entirely natural and has raised the possibility of foul play, including murder, abetment, conspiracy, fraud, and forgery. This complaint has reportedly attracted attention from US authorities due to Sunjay Kapur’s citizenship.

In a poignant video statement, Rani Kapur expressed her distress, stating, “I still don’t know what happened to my son. I’m old now. I need closure before I go.”

Public and Media Attention

The dispute has captured significant media attention due to the intersection of Bollywood, business, and a multi-crore inheritance. Legal experts anticipate that the court’s decision could set important precedents regarding inheritance rights, will disputes, and the management of family-owned corporate empires.

The inheritance battle over Sunjay Kapur’s estate is far from over, and the legal proceedings at the Delhi High Court are expected to unfold in the coming months. With allegations of forgery, suppression of documents, and potential foul play, this case remains one of the most high-profile inheritance disputes in recent times. Karisma Kapoor’s children, Samaira and Kiaan, have firmly positioned themselves to claim their rightful share in the estate, highlighting the complex interplay of family, wealth, and legal rights in India’s corporate and celebrity circles.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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