Delhi High Court Urges Mediation in RK Family Trust Dispute, Seeks Replies on New Pleas

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has expressed its dismay over the bitter inheritance dispute within the Kapur family, describing it as a "sorry state of affairs". The HC advised members of the Kapur family to consider mediation in their ongoing dispute over the RK Family Trust, noting "a lot of dirty linen is being washed in the open". The high court remarked, while hearing a lawsuit filed by 80-year-old Rani Kapur, mother of late industrialist Sunjay Kapur, seeking the cancellation of the family trust, valued at several thousand crores.

Justice Mini Pushkarna, who presided over the hearing, encouraged the parties to resolve the matter peacefully, stating that the effort should be from both sides, as all the parties are suffering. The judge observed that the wealth inherited from the late Surender Kapur should be seen as a blessing, not a source of conflict, and urged family members to respect their relationships.

"Ultimately, all the parties are suffering, and she (Rani Kapur) is already so old. No one should see a person's son or daughter being demised when they are still alive," Justice Pushkarna observed.  

Rani Kapur, represented by Senior Advocate Vaibhav Gaggar, has sought dissolution of the trust and preservation of its estate. She expressed concern that assets could be mismanaged or siphoned off, alleging that Priya Kapur acted hastily and fraudulently in handling the estate. Some defendants, including Rani’s daughter and the children of actor Karisma Kapoor, supported her plea.

Senior Advocate Akhil Sibal, representing Priya Kapur, however, strongly opposed the allegations, arguing that when Sunjay Kapur took charge of the family company, it was struggling, but through the leadership, it was revived and even launched an IPO in 2021. He maintained that the trust was validly created and insisted that videographic evidence of its execution would be produced.

What Is The Dispute

The dispute revolved around the RK Family Trust, allegedly created in 2017, which Rani Kapur claimed was done through forgery, fabrication, and undue influence. She alleged that her assets were transferred to the trust without her knowledge or consent, and seeks directions to restrain the release of an interim dividend of around Rs 28 crore to Priya Kapur.

Rani Kapur alleged that the signatures attributed to her are not genuine and that the trust was created when she was unwell after a stroke, leaving her dependent on her son for financial decisions. According to her, she was made to sign documents without understanding their implications, resulting in her exclusion from assets she previously controlled.

Other family members, including grandchildren from her daughter Mandhira Kapur Smith, have also supported Rani Kapur’s case, claiming they were deprived of inheritance under the new arrangement. The Court has appointed actor Karisma Kapoor as the next friend of minor defendants Samaira and Kiaan Kapur to safeguard their interests.

Family At Odds

The Kapur family has been embroiled in a bitter legal battle since Sunjay Kapur's sudden demise in June 2025. His mother, Rani Kapur, has accused his wife, Priya Kapur, of exploiting her vulnerability and transferring her assets to the RK Family Trust. Priya Kapur, on the other hand, claims that Sunjay Kapur left his entire personal estate to her through a 2025 will.

The court has urged both parties to consider mediation, with Justice Pushkarna stating that "God has blessed you a lot with financial wealth. Try to respect your relations. All of you have suffered losses... live happily. This is the fruit of someone's (late Surinder Kapur) labour".

The trust is reportedly valued at several thousand crores, and its control is being contested by Rani Kapur, Priya Kapur, and Karisma Kapoor, Sunjay's second wife, on behalf of their children.

Amidst the ongoing legal battle, the Delhi High Court has issued notices to both parties, with the next hearing scheduled for March 23.

Read More: Rani Kapur Moves Delhi HC To Scrap ‘Fraudulent’ Family Trust, Alleges Forgery By Son Sunjay & Daughter-In-Law Priya Sachdev