Sunjay Kapur inheritance case: Delhi HC restrains Priya, Mandhira from defaming each other; says 'conduct yourself with dignity'

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday ordered late businessman Sunjay Kapur’s wife Priya Kapur and his sister Mandira Kapur Smith, to avoid trading public allegations, telling both sides to maintain restraint and dignity, reported Bar and Bench.

Hearing a defamation suit filed by Priya Kapur against Mandhira Kapur Smith, Justice Mini Pushkarna was quoted as saying, “We expect you not to make any public statements against each other… Conduct yourself with dignity, this is what the court expects.”

Moreover, the high court issued notice to Mandhira Kapur on the interim relief plea and granted her five weeks to respond. “Issue notice. List after five weeks. In the meantime, both parties are directed to exercise restraint in making statements against each other, directly or indirectly,” the high court ordered, according to Bar and Bench.


The matter is scheduled for hearing on May 14, the report noted.

Priya Kapur has sought an injunction restraining Mandhira Kapur from making allegedly defamatory remarks and claimed ₹20 crore in damages for “loss of reputation, mental agony, emotional distress and social humiliation.”

The dispute relates to statements shared on social media and in the podcast InControversial, whose host is also named as a party.

In her plea, Priya Kapur alleged that Mandhira Kapur circulated posts and videos identifying her while making false and accusatory insinuations intended to provoke hatred, ridicule and social exclusion. She further claimed that soon after Sunjay Kapur’s death, Mandhira Kapur “embarked upon a systematic and organised course of conduct aimed at maligning, humiliating and socially discrediting the Plaintiff [Priya Kapur].”

A criminal defamation complaint filed by Priya Kapur against Mandhira Kapur is already pending before a Delhi court, according to Bar and Bench.

During the hearing, Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for Priya Kapur, reportedly referred to the alleged remarks and submitted: “A grieving widow and a seven-year-old son are subjected to such derogatory statements like that there was no bloodline present. She [Mandhira] is saying they [Priya and her minor son] are thieves, robbers, and third wife, and that she [Priya] was just filling the gap.”

He also told the high court that Priya Kapur had not spoken to the media.

Senior Advocate Amit Sibal, representing Mandhira Kapur, argued that his client had also faced adverse publicity, stating: “Considering the relationship between the parties and media trials that are happening... It’s a telltale. Concerted media vilificatory campaign.”

After hearing both sides, the High Court proceeded to issue notice and directed the parties to refrain from making defamatory statements against each other.