Actor Karisma Kapoor is strongly opposing a bid by Priya Kapur in the Supreme Court of India to access her 2016 divorce records with her late ex-husband, industrialist Sunjay Kapur. Karisma's legal team has labeled Priya Kapur's request as "frivolous and intrusive," arguing it is an attempt to unearth personal and confidential information from a matter settled almost a decade ago. The Supreme Court issued a notice on Friday, January 16, 2026, giving Karisma Kapoor two weeks to formally submit her objections and file a detailed response to the application.[youtube+4]
Widow Seeks Divorce Records for Estate Dispute
Priya Kapur, who married Sunjay Kapur in April 2017, initiated the plea in the Supreme Court, asserting her position as his legally wedded wife and a direct legal heir. She is seeking certified copies of the complete records from a 2016 transfer petition related to Sunjay Kapur's divorce proceedings with Karisma Kapoor. Priya Kapur claims these confidential court records are essential for an ongoing succession dispute before the Delhi High Court. The dispute centers on Sunjay Kapur's estate, reportedly valued at approximately Rs 30,000 crore, which includes significant interests in Sona Comstar and other business ventures.[youtube+7]
Priya Kapur's application states that accessing these documents is "bona fide required" to protect her legal rights in relation to the deceased's estate. The succession battle emerged after Sunjay Kapur's death on June 12, 2025, following a heart attack during a polo match in England. At the heart of this dispute is a will dated March 21, 2025, which allegedly bequeaths a substantial portion of Sunjay Kapur's personal estate to Priya Kapur. Karisma Kapoor's children with Sunjay, Samaira and Kiaan, have challenged the authenticity of this will, alleging it is forged and fabricated.[youtube+10]
Karisma Kapoor Cites Confidentiality
Karisma Kapoor's counsel, advocates Ravi Sharma and Apoorv Shukla, strongly opposed Priya Kapur's application during the chamber hearing before Justice A.S. Chandurkar. They argued that the plea is "legally untenable" and an attempt to reopen confidential family court proceedings that were finalized years ago. The lawyers emphasized that matrimonial proceedings are treated with strict confidentiality and should not be casually accessed, especially by a third party. They also contended that Priya Kapur already possesses relevant documents pertaining to the settlement.[lawchakra+2]
Sunjay Kapur's sister, Mandhira Kapur Smith, echoed Karisma Kapoor's sentiments, telling a news agency that Priya's attempt to access the divorce records is "unnecessary and misplaced." She stated that if her brother had wished to share these documents, he would have done so during his marriage. Mandhira Kapur Smith further described the matter as "sensitive," highlighting the need for confidentiality, particularly because children are involved.[indiaforums+1]
Background of the Divorce and Estate Battle
Karisma Kapoor and industrialist Sunjay Kapur married on September 29, 2003. They had two children, daughter Samaira and son Kiaan. The couple filed for divorce by mutual consent in 2014, and their divorce was finalized in June 2016 after a prolonged legal battle. During these proceedings, Sunjay Kapur had filed a transfer petition in 2016 to move their divorce case from Mumbai to Delhi. The Supreme Court disposed of this petition on April 8, 2016, after both parties amicably settled their disputes and recorded detailed consent terms.[indiaforums+7]
Following Sunjay Kapur's death in June 2025, a high-profile inheritance dispute erupted among his family members. This includes Priya Kapur, his children with Karisma Kapoor, his mother Rani Kapur, and his sister. Karisma and Sunjay's children have alleged that the will presented by Priya Kapur contains multiple loopholes and discrepancies in its digital trail. They claim the will excludes them from their inheritance and have sought criminal action against Priya Kapur, accusing her of fabricating the document.[youtube+5]
In December 2025, the Delhi High Court concluded hearings in a civil suit regarding Sunjay Kapur's personal estate. The court reserved its orders on an interim injunction application filed by Karisma's children, who seek a share in their father's estate. Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, representing the children, has argued that metadata of the disputed will shows it was drafted and modified on a different computer and on dates inconsistent with the claimed timeline.[indiaforums+3]
Legal Implications and Next Steps
The Supreme Court's decision to issue notice signifies that it will consider the arguments from both sides regarding the confidentiality of divorce records versus the necessity for them in a succession dispute. This case highlights the legal complexities surrounding access to private matrimonial documents, especially when they intersect with high-stakes inheritance battles. India's legal framework generally treats matrimonial proceedings with a degree of privacy, but exceptions can be made based on the circumstances and the "interest of justice."[lawchakra+2]
Karisma Kapoor now has two weeks to file her detailed response, outlining her objections to Priya Kapur's plea. The Supreme Court will then further deliberate on whether these confidential divorce records can be shared with Priya Kapur. The outcome of this Supreme Court application will likely have significant implications for the ongoing Rs 30,000 crore estate dispute in the Delhi High Court, affecting the inheritance claims of Sunjay Kapur's widow and his children.[youtube+6]
