Sunjay Kapur Family Trust Dispute May Be Settled by August, Delhi High Court Informed
Mediation Led by Former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud Shows Progress as Family Members Signal Hope for Amicable Resolution
The long-running legal battle over the RK Family Trust of late industrialist Sunjay Kapur appears to be moving towards an amicable resolution, with the Delhi High Court being informed that the mediation process is likely to conclude by August. The development has raised hopes of ending one of India’s most closely watched inheritance disputes through a negotiated settlement rather than prolonged litigation.
The matter came up before Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, who was hearing an application filed on behalf of actor Karisma Kapoor’s children, Samaira Kapur and Kiaan Kapur. The application sought an extension of time to file their written statement in a civil suit initiated by Sunjay Kapur’s mother, Rani Kapur, against his widow, Priya Kapur, while mediation proceedings continue.
Senior Advocate Vaibhav Gaggar, appearing for Rani Kapur, told the High Court that he had no objection to the extension request because mediation had reached an advanced stage. He informed the court that the dispute could be resolved by August, making further litigation unnecessary if a settlement is achieved.
Representing Priya Kapur, Senior Advocate Shyel Trehan also expressed optimism about the ongoing talks. During the hearing, he told the court that he hoped to return with positive news, prompting Justice Gedela to remark that the parties had “a very good mediator” handling the dispute.
The mediation is being conducted by former Chief Justice of India D. Y. Chandrachud, who was appointed by the Supreme Court earlier this year after all parties agreed to attempt an out-of-court resolution. The apex court had emphasized that the family should resolve the dispute privately and refrain from making public statements or discussing the case on social media during the mediation process.
The Delhi High Court permitted Karisma Kapoor’s children to submit their written statement in a sealed cover as a precautionary measure. However, the court clarified that whether the statement would formally be taken on record would depend on the outcome of the pending application seeking exclusion of the statutory limitation period due to the ongoing mediation.
The dispute revolves around the RK Family Trust, which was created in 2017 and controls significant family assets linked to the Kapur business empire. Rani Kapur has alleged that the trust was constituted through forged, fabricated and fraudulent documents without her informed consent. She has sought declarations that the trust is null and void, along with restoration of control over the assets. Priya Kapur has denied these allegations and continues to defend the legality of the trust.
The inheritance battle intensified following the death of industrialist Sunjay Kapur and has expanded into multiple proceedings before the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court concerning the management of family assets, trust administration and related corporate interests. Courts have consistently encouraged mediation, observing that a consensual settlement would better serve the interests of all family members than a prolonged legal contest.
If the mediation succeeds as anticipated, the settlement could bring an end to several interconnected legal proceedings involving members of the Kapur family. The matter is expected to return before the Delhi High Court after the mediation process, where the parties may inform the court whether a final settlement has been reached or whether judicial proceedings need to continue.
