The Supreme Court has issued a formal notice to Bollywood actor Karisma Kapoor, directing her to submit her stand on a petition filed by Priya Kapur that seeks access to records of Kapoor’s 2016 divorce from Sunjay Kapur. The development comes in the middle of a bitter inheritance dispute involving the late businessman’s vast property.

Priya Kapur, who married Sunjay Kapur after his separation from Karisma, is presently engaged in a legal confrontation with his children over the ownership of assets estimated to be worth around Rs 30,000 crore. As part of these proceedings, she has sought certified copies of documents connected to the earlier divorce settlement.

During a chamber hearing, a bench headed by Justice AS Chandurkar granted Karisma Kapoor two weeks to file a detailed reply. Her legal team objected to the request, arguing that the plea was an attempt to pry into private and sensitive matters that have no relevance to the present dispute.

In her application, Priya Kapur has asked for access to the original divorce petition, court orders and, in particular, the settlement agreement to understand the financial arrangements and custody terms decided between Karisma and Sunjay Kapur at the time of their separation.

Reacting to the move, Sunjay Kapur’s sister Mandhira Kapur Smith questioned the intent behind the demand, stating that the details of a concluded marriage were meant to remain confidential, especially when children were involved. She maintained that such information concerned only the two individuals who went through the divorce.

The controversy forms part of a larger legal battle over Sunjay Kapur’s will. His children, Samaira and Kiaan Kapur, have challenged the document before the Delhi High Court, alleging that it was fabricated and did not bear their father’s genuine signatures. They have accused Priya Kapur of conspiring with witnesses to manipulate the will and have sought examination of the original papers kept in a sealed cover.

The siblings have also requested the court to temporarily restrain Priya Kapur from selling or transferring any assets belonging to their father until the authenticity of the will is determined.

Sunjay Kapur, former chairman of auto components firm Sona Comstar, passed away in June last year at the age of 53 after suffering a cardiac arrest in the UK. The emergence of the contested will soon after his death triggered a complex and high-profile family dispute that is now being fought in multiple courts.