Delhi HC Questions Secrecy in ₹30,000 Cr Sanjay Kapur Estate Dispute

The Delhi High Court on Thursday expressed reservations about allowing the list of personal assets and liabilities of the late Sanjay Kapur, a prominent businessman, to be filed in a sealed cover, citing potential issues with transparency and the rights of his children. Justice Jyoti Singh, hearing an application by Kapur’s wife, Priya Sachdev Kapur, noted that sealing the asset details could hinder the ability of Kapur’s children, Samaira Kapur and Kiaan Raj Kapur, from verifying and challenging the disclosed assets. The children, born to Kapur and his former wife, actor Karisma Kapoor, are engaged in a legal battle over their father’s estate, reportedly valued at Rs 30,000 crore.

Priya Sachdev Kapur’s application sought permission to submit the asset list under confidentiality, either in a sealed cover or through the establishment of a Confidentiality Club, arguing that public disclosure could compromise security. Her counsel emphasized that sensitive financial details, such as bank account numbers, should remain private to protect the family’s interests.

“Why should the public have access to someone’s bank account number?” the lawyer argued, also alleging that press conferences following court hearings were exacerbating privacy concerns. However, Justice Singh questioned how the children could defend their inheritance claims if bound by confidentiality, stating, “As alleged beneficiaries of the estate, they have a right to question the assets disclosed.”

The dispute stems from a challenge by Samaira and Kiaan Raj, who have contested their father’s purported will and are seeking their share of his vast estate. On September 10, the high court had directed Priya to submit a comprehensive list of Kapur’s assets to facilitate the proceedings. Priya informed the court that the children had already received Rs 1,900 crore from a family trust, a claim that adds complexity to the ongoing inheritance dispute. The case highlights the tension between privacy concerns and the need for transparency in high-profile estate battles.

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The court adjourned the matter to Friday for further deliberation, leaving open the question of how to balance confidentiality with the children’s rights to scrutinize their father’s estate. This legal battle, centered on one of India’s most substantial fortunes, continues to draw attention for its implications on inheritance law and family disputes in the public eye.

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