Rani Kapur alleges “forced takeover” bid in fresh plea before Supreme Court
During the court-monitored mediation process in the inheritance dispute involving the estate of late industrialist Sunjay Kapur, his 80-year-old mother, Ms. Rani Kapur, moved the Supreme Court, accusing her daughter-in-law, Ms. Priya Kapur, of attempting to “forcibly take over” the disputed family assets.
The octogenarian, in his fresh plea before the apex court, alleged that despite the Supreme Court’s May 7 order appointing former Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud as a mediator to facilitate reaching a negotiated settlement, Ms. Priya Kapur and others continued their efforts to gain control over key companies and assets linked to the property.
The application was raised before the JB Pardiwala and Ujjal Bhuyan Bench of Justice, which agreed to hear the matter on May 14.
“It looks like we have entered an arena where the Mahabharata will look very small. We will examine it.” [application]Justice Pardiwala noted that during the hearing, senior lawyers representing rival groups referred to new allegations regarding the functioning of the family trust and a proposal to hold a meeting of the company’s board of directors.
Senior advocates Navin Pahwa and Vaibhav Gaggar, appearing for Ms. Rani Kapur, submitted that Raghuvanshi Investment Private Limited (RIPL), which holds the majority stake in the disputed family property, had issued a notice calling for a meeting of the Board of Directors on May 18.
They alleged that the meeting was convened at the behest of Ms. Priya Kapur under the guise of complying with regulatory requirements applicable to Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), while the real aim was to appoint new independent directors, authorize new signatories for RIPL’s bank accounts and secure control over the company’s investment decisions.
Senior advocate Gopal Jain, speaking on behalf of RIPL, countered the allegations and stated that the proposed meeting was required by the regulatory requirements applicable to NBFCs and was in line with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines.
In her application, Ms. Rani Kapur alleged that the board meeting on May 18 was held to bypass the mediation process initiated by the Supreme Court.
“It is alleged that this notification was issued on the orders of Defendant No. 1. [Priya]As Defendant No. 3 along with his assistants. [director at RIPL] and 4 [RIPL’s company secretary]The plea filed through advocate Smriti Churiwal stated that there are those who are planning to bypass this Hon’ble Court process and neutralize the court-monitored mediation with the sole motive and purpose of forcibly seizing the finances, management and disputed family property of the Company.
‘Alienate family property’
The defense also claimed that the defendants’ behavior strengthened concerns that attempts might be made to transfer or alienate family assets while the mediation proceedings were ongoing.
“The above-mentioned behavior strengthens the applicant’s concern that the named respondents will make every attempt to alienate and transfer the family property during the continuation of the mediation proceedings and will use this as a diversionary tactic only to render the applicant’s words and case ineffective,” the application said.
The court was further informed that the “balance of convenience” was overwhelmingly in favor of Ms. Rani Kapur as the family property was preserved and the respondents would not suffer any prejudice if the applicant was allowed to manage the family trust.
“If the defendants are allowed to appoint new directors, remove the bank signatories and subsequently grant unlimited financial authority, transfer and dispose of assets, this will create an irreversible situation that no future court decision or mediation can easily reverse,” the application said.
Those involved in the lawsuit include Ms. Priya Kapur, Mr. Kapur’s sister Mandira Kapur Smith and other family members, including children from a previous marriage to actor Karisma Kapoor.
Ms. Rani Kapur accordingly sought directions restraining Ms. Priya Kapur and the other respondents from interfering with the functioning of the family foundation and five companies affiliated with the family estate during the pendency of the mediation proceedings.
On May 7, the high court appointed Mr DY Chandrachud as a mediator to facilitate reconciliation talks between the warring groups. The court also advised Kapur family members not to make public statements about the dispute or post on social media for the purpose of “entertaining others”.
“Since this is a family matter, their efforts should be to resolve the dispute as soon as possible and put an end to the entire matter. We firmly believe that all parties should participate in the mediation process with an open mind,” the bench said.
Sunjay Kapur, chairman of automotive parts maker Sona Comstar, died of a heart attack while playing polo in London last year. The Rani Kapur Family Foundation was created by a trust deed signed on 26 October 2017 and currently holds shares in Sona Comstar.
The case before the high court arises from a petition filed by octogenarian Rani Kapur seeking protection of family property. In her defense, Ms. Kapur questioned the creation and operation of the family trust and claimed that the structure had effectively stripped her of control over significant assets without her informed consent.
According to the petition, the dispute dates back to 2017, when Ms. Kapur suffered a stroke. He claimed that following his medical condition, his late son and others planned the transfer of significant family assets to the trust without his full knowledge or consent. The defense also alleges that he was asked to sign documents under the guise of routine administrative formalities.
It was published – 12 May 2026 14:42 IST
