The Delhi High Court on Wednesday denied a plea by Priya Kapur, widow of the late businessman Sanjay Kapur, seeking permission to file a list of his personal assets in a sealed cover.

The application was filed in the ongoing inheritance dispute involving Karishma Kapoor’s children, who are claiming a share in their late father’s personal assets.

Priya Kapur’s counsel, advocate Shyel Trehan, had requested that two pages of the asset list be kept confidential, citing concerns over sensitive information entering the public domain. “I am willing to show it to all parties, but request it be held as confidential,” Trehan said.

The court, however, made it clear that the entire suit could not be sealed. Observing that opposing parties need access to details to file their responses, the bench questioned how a replication could be submitted if critical information were withheld. “The whole suit cannot be in a sealed cover,” the court said, while inviting suggestions that would protect the rights of all parties.

Counsel representing Karishma Kapoor’s children argued that, regarding the property, the details should largely remain public. The bench noted that beneficiaries have a legal right to scrutinise and question the assets disclosed, as in any other civil dispute.

The court also cautioned against involving the media, saying, “Please don’t involve us in any media trial,” to which Trehan responded that there was no intention to involve the press.

Senior advocate Amit Sibal, representing Sunjay Kapur’s mother and a class 1 heir, emphasised that he must be given full access to the asset details to independently verify the will. He described restrictions, including a potential non-disclosure agreement, as “somewhat unusual” and sought assurance that the order would not impede his rights.

After hearing arguments, the court adjourned the matter to the following day, leaving unresolved the issue of what portion of the asset list, if any, could be filed confidentially.

The case highlights the tension between privacy in high-profile inheritance matters and the legal rights of heirs to access details of assets. The next hearing is expected to determine the extent to which confidentiality can be accommodated without infringing on the rights of other beneficiaries.

– Ends