In a new development in the real estate dispute linked to late businessman Sanjay Kapoor, the Indian Supreme Court on Monday issued notice on the petition filed by Rani Kapoor, while reportedly making a remark about her continuing to be part of the suit at the age of 80.
The court sought responses from Sanjay’s widow, Priya Sachdev Kapoor and 22 others, while also indicating that mediation could be the way forward to resolve the family dispute, news agency ANI reported.
A bench of Justices JP Pardiwala and Vijay Bishnoi was hearing the matter when they observed that extended courtroom battles in such matters may not serve anyone’s interest.
The bench also questioned the need for the conflict to continue, saying: “Why are you all fighting? You are eighty years old. This is not the right age for your client to fight,” the ANI report added.
The court went on to strongly suggest mediation, saying: “Go to mediation once and for all, from A to Z. Otherwise, it is a waste.”
“Resolving conflicts peacefully”
The Council stressed the need to reach an amicable solution, saying: “It would be in the interest of all parties concerned to go to mediation and try to resolve disputes peacefully and fairly.”
At the same time, she left the door open for further hearings, adding: “We will hear the matter, if necessary, on the merits; but first we must try to persuade the parties to go to mediation.”
The case is now scheduled to be listed next week.
An appeal seeking to protect property
Rani Kapoor’s petition has sought directions to restrain the defendants from interfering with the property, assets and related affairs.
It had also challenged some of the orders passed by the Delhi High Court, arguing that the property had not been properly maintained, raising concerns about possible dissipation of assets.
Senior lawyer Shyam Divan spoke on her behalf and said that courts usually grant protection orders at an early stage in disputes involving large properties. He was assisted by senior advocate Vaibhav Gajjar and registered advocate Smriti Shouriwal.
Dispute over family trust and control of assets
The origins of the dispute lie in a lawsuit filed by Rani Kapoor challenging the establishment of the Rani Kapoor Family Trust. She claimed that the trust was structured in a way that stripped her of control over her assets, including interests in the Sona Group.
She also claimed that after she suffered a stroke in 2017, her late son and others acted in a way that resulted in assets being transferred without her informed consent.
The dispute intensified after the death of Sanjay Kapoor last year, with competing claims emerging over control of family assets and business interests. Parallel proceedings on related issues are currently pending before the Delhi High Court, including matters relating to Sanjay Kapoor’s children with his ex-wife, actress Karisma Kapoor.
(with ANI inputs)
