The shocking inheritance battle surrounding industrialist Sunjay Kapur’s Rs 30,000 crore estate has gripped the nation. While his children fight for their rightful share, one name is conspicuously absent from the legal drama – his first wife, fashion designer Nandita Mahtani.
Table of Contents
The Complex Web of Sunjay Kapur’s Marriages
Sunjay Kapur’s personal life was marked by three significant relationships that would later shape his estate planning decisions. Understanding these connections is crucial to unravelling why Nandita Mahtani remains excluded from the inheritance dispute.
| Marriage | Duration | Children | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nandita Mahtani | 1996-2000 | None | No inheritance claim |
| Karisma Kapoor | 2003-2016 | Samaira & Kiaan | Children contesting will |
| Priya Sachdev | 2017-2024 | None | Defending contested will |
The Rs 30,000 Crore Inheritance Battle Explained
The legal storm erupted when Priya Sachdev produced a will dated March 2024, just months before Sunjay’s death. However, this document faces serious challenges from multiple family members who question its authenticity.
Key players in the dispute:
- Samaira and Kiaan Kapur: Sunjay’s children with Karisma Kapoor, alleging will forgery
- Rani Kapur: Sunjay’s mother, supporting her grandchildren’s claims
- Priya Sachdev: Third wife defending the will’s legitimacy
- Nandita Mahtani: Notably absent from all proceedings
Why Nandita Mahtani Isn’t Fighting for the Fortune
The absence of Nandita Mahtani from this high-stakes legal battle isn’t accidental. Several compelling factors explain her exclusion:
1. No Children, No Inheritance Rights
Unlike Karisma Kapoor, who shares two children with Sunjay, Nandita’s four-year marriage (1996-2000) produced no offspring. Indian inheritance practices often prioritize bloodline continuation, making children the primary beneficiaries.
2. Ex-Wife Exclusion Policy
Sources close to the family reveal that Sunjay’s estate planning deliberately excluded former spouses. This policy affected both Nandita and Karisma, though Karisma’s children provide her an indirect connection to the wealth.
3. Professional Independence
Today, Nandita Mahtani has carved her own successful path as a celebrity stylist, working with stars like Virat Kohli. Her financial independence may reduce any motivation to pursue inheritance claims.
The Delhi High Court’s Current Stance
The Delhi High Court has taken a serious view of the inheritance dispute, ordering Priya Sachdev to disclose all of Sunjay’s assets. The case highlights the complexity of modern inheritance laws when multiple marriages and disputed wills intersect.
Timeline of events:
- March 2024: Alleged will creation
- June 2024: Sunjay Kapur’s death
- July 2024: Will presented by Priya Sachdev
- September 2024: Children file forgery allegations
- October 2024: Next court hearing scheduled
What This Means for Indian Inheritance Law
This case spotlights crucial issues in modern Indian family law:
- Multiple marriage complications: How estate planning adapts to sequential relationships
- Children’s rights vs. spouse’s rights: The hierarchy of inheritance claims
- Will authenticity challenges: The burden of proof in disputed testaments
The Bigger Picture
While Nandita Mahtani’s absence from the Sunjay Kapur will battle might seem surprising, it reflects calculated estate planning and practical realities. Her decision to stay out of the legal fray demonstrates dignity and professional focus.
The real battle continues between Sunjay’s children and his final wife, with Rs 30,000 crore hanging in the balance. As this case unfolds, it will likely set important precedents for inheritance disputes in India’s evolving family structures.
The outcome remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Nandita Mahtani has chosen her own path to success, independent of her former husband’s vast fortune.
