Kamal Ghorui
The Supreme Court of India on Monday issued notice on a petition filed by Rani Kapur, mother of late businessman Sanjay Kapur, in connection with the ongoing Rs 30,000 crore estate dispute involving his family, children, and widow Priya Sachdev Kapur. While seeking responses from Priya and 22 others, the court also said that mediation would be a more suitable route to resolve the matter, as ’80 is not an age for Rani Kapur to fight’. Rani Kapur has now reacted to the court’s observation. She has expressed willingness to resolve the issue amicably. She said in an interview with Hindustan Times, “I welcome the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s observations and its encouragement of a peaceful resolution. At this stage of my life, I seek only truth, dignity, and the protection of what is rightfully mine and my family’s. I remain ready to participate in any fair and transparent mediation process, while trusting that the courts will ensure justice on the merits.”She further clarified her stance, saying, “This has never been about conflict. It is about restoring fairness, preserving a family legacy, and ensuring that no one is deprived through deception or misuse of trust.”A bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Vijay Bishnoi heard the case and questioned the prolonged legal battle. Addressing Rani’s counsel, the bench remarked, “Why are you all fighting? You are 80. This is not the age for your client to fight.” The court strongly pushed for mediation, adding, “Go for mediation once and for all, from A to Z. Otherwise, this is a waste.” At the same time, it left the option open to revisit the matter if mediation does not lead to a resolution.In her plea, Rani Kapur sought directions to prevent the respondents from interfering with the estate, assets, and related matters. She also challenged certain Delhi High Court orders, arguing that the estate had not been adequately safeguarded and raising concerns about potential dissipation of assets.The roots of the dispute trace back to a suit filed by Rani, in which she contested the formation of the Rani Kapur Family Trust. She alleged that the structure of the trust effectively took away her control over her own assets, including her stake in the Sona Group. Additionally, she claimed that after she suffered a stroke in 2017, her late son and others acted in ways that led to asset transfers without her full knowledge or consent.For those not in the know, this conflict began after Sunjay Kapur’s demise in June last year. Apart from Rani Kapur Vs Priya Kapur, there’s also a legal battle between Priya and Sunjay’s children with ex-wife Karisma Kapoor.
