Delhi Court Cracks Open Sealed Will in Explosive Kapur Inheritance Clash

In a pivotal move amid a bitter family showdown over industrialist Sunjay Kapur's vast estate, the Delhi High Court's Joint Registrar Gagandeep Jindal has authorized forensic scrutiny of the late tycoon's disputed will. Passed on February 26, 2026, the order permits plaintiffs Samaira Kapur and her brother Kiaan—children of Bollywood star Karisma Kapoor—and defendant No. 3 Rani Kapur (Sunjay's mother) to inspect the original document filed in sealed cover by defendant No. 4, the executor. This clears the path for handwriting and forensic experts, dealing a blow to objections from Priya Kapur (Sunjay's widow) and her camp.

The ruling intensifies the legal battle for control of Sunjay Kapur's Rs 30,000 crore empire, anchored by auto giant Sona Comstar, blending Bollywood glamour with corporate intrigue.

Tycoon's Sudden Death Ignites Firestorm

Sunjay Kapur, former Sona Comstar chairman, passed away abruptly, leaving behind a fractured family. Karisma Kapoor, his ex-wife from a high-profile marriage, shares two children—Samaira and Kiaan—with him. Priya Sachdev Kapur, his widow, and their young son Azarius are positioned as primary beneficiaries under the contested will dated March 21, 2025. Rani Kapur, Sunjay's mother, and executor Shraddha Suri Marwah (defendant No. 4) round out the key players.

The suit, CS(OS) 627/2025, stems from challenges to the will's genuineness. A copy surfaced via email on September 15, 2025, with the original filed in sealed cover on September 25. Plaintiffs doubt its authenticity, demanding inspection to strategize challenges. Prior court nods for asset lists in sealed covers came with non-disclosure pacts, but none shielded the will itself.

Plaintiffs Push for Truth, Widow Cites Secrecy

Plaintiffs, represented by Saurav Agrawal and team, argued inspection is vital to verify the will amid disputes. "The inspection of the original will is necessary for the plaintiff to take appropriate steps to ascertain the authenticity and genuineness," their counsel urged, seeking expert involvement.

Opposing fiercely, Priya Kapur's lawyers (Ankit Rajgarha et al.) called the applications under Section 151 CPC unmaintainable, pushing for Order XI CPC and Delhi HC (OS) Rules instead. They claimed Registrar lacks jurisdiction over sealed covers, no prior authenticity challenge existed, and forensic probes belong in evidence stage. NDAs on assets barred expert access, they insisted.

Defendant No. 4's counsel consented to party inspection but nixed experts. Rani Kapur's side (Vidisha Jain et al.) backed full access.

Adjournment pleas by Priya's team were shot down—the court flagged "deliberate delaying," noting missed deadlines despite prior extensions.

Registrar Asserts Powers, Dispels Myths

Delving into rules, Jindal invoked Chapter II Rule 3(24) of Delhi HC (OS) Rules, empowering Registrars for document inspections. A September 10 order mandated OS Rules compliance for inspections. Sealed filing doesn't bar access, unlike Chapter XI Rule 26, which governs trial evidence production—not pre-trial peeks.

No confidentiality order cloaked the will, unlike assets (per September 26 order). "Mere filing of original Will in the sealed cover does not bar the powers of Registrar," the order stated, affirming parties' rights to probe genuineness.

Jindal rejected jurisdiction jabs: "There is no merits in the arguments... that court of Registrar has no power to adjudicate the application for inspection."

Spotlight Quotes from the Bench

• On Registrar's Authority : "Rule 3 of Chapter II Delhi High Court (OS) Rules provides for the power of the registrar. Sub Rule (24) provides that Registrar may exercise the powers for adjudication applications for orders... inspection of documents."

• Rebuffing Delays : "Defendant nos. 1 & 2 have failed to file reply... within the time granted to them. It seems that defendant nos. 1 & 2 are deliberately delaying the adjudication."

• Core Right Affirmed : "The plaintiffs and defendant no. 3 have legal right to inspect the original will of late Sh. Sanjay Kapur kept in sealed cover to ascertain its authenticity and genuineness and to prepare their case."

Inspection Ordered, Mobiles and CDRs Next

The applications (IA 26858/2025 and 3208/2026) stand disposed: Inspection fixed for March 10, 2026, at 3:00 PM in Registry presence, with Priya's counsel invited—no photos or copies allowed. Absenteeism won't halt it.

Separately, delays condoned in IAs for Priya's mobiles and call data records (2205/2026, 2206/2026); renotified for March 10 before the judge. Preservation urgency noted, as CDRs lapse after a year.

This forensic greenlight standardizes scrutiny in probate wars, potentially reshaping Kapur legacies. For Samaira, Kiaan, and Rani, it's a transparency win; for Priya, heightened stakes in defending her claims. As experts pore over ink and script, the empire's fate hangs in balance—watch March 10 unfold.