New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday questioned an application filed by Priya Sachdeva Kapur, the widow of late industrialist Sunjay Kapur, who sought to file a list of his personal assets and liabilities in a sealed cover. The application comes in a partition suit filed by Sunjay Kapur’s two children with his former wife, actor Karisma Kapoor, who are seeking a share in his estate.
During the hearing before Justice Jyoti Singh, Priya Kapur’s lawyer, Sheyl Trehan, argued that the sealed cover was necessary to prevent sensitive financial information, such as bank and Demat account details, from being leaked to the media. Trehan claimed that there had been a lot of media attention and that pleadings were being leaked, which posed a cybersecurity risk. She proposed that the information be shared with all parties involved under an undertaking of confidentiality.
However, Justice Singh did not immediately grant the request, stating orally that in a partition lawsuit, the list of assets must be disclosed. The court questioned the exceptional circumstances of the case, pointing out that in any such suit, beneficiaries have the right to question the disclosed assets. The judge asked, “Tomorrow if they have to verify… and are bound by confidentiality club how will they defend this case?”
The lawyer for Karisma Kapoor’s children opposed the sealed cover request, citing concerns that it would make it difficult for them to challenge the will in the future. The lawyer also told the court that they have information that a significant amount of money had been “wiped off” from Sunjay Kapur’s bank accounts, further justifying the need for full disclosure.
The dispute over the multi-crore estate arose after Sunjay Kapur’s death in June. The partition suit was filed by his children, Samaira and Kiaan Raj Kapur, who have also challenged the authenticity of a will allegedly executed by their father, claiming it is “forged” and “fabricated.”
The court has listed the matter for Friday, September 26, and asked Priya Kapur’s counsel to present a suggestion that can address the concerns of all parties. The use of “sealed cover jurisprudence” has been a subject of debate in Indian courts, with critics arguing it can hinder transparency and undermine the principles of a fair trial.