Stuck in a Rs 31,000 crore inheritance battle, the Kapoors have made several headlines since the Sona Comstar chairman’s death on June 12. From ex-wife Karisma Kapoor’s reconciliation rumours to several private chats going public, the race for the estate has quickly garnered public attention.
As per several reports, the Bollywood actor was being helped by her former husband, Sunjay Kapoor, to attain Portuguese citizenship for her and her children. Documents filed in the Delhi High Court revealed that Kapoor was told that she would have to give up her Indian citizenship to get a Portuguese passport.
Inheritance tax issues
During the court proceedings, the reason behind the citizenship change offer became a matter of contention. Karisma Kapoor’s lawyer, Mahesh Jethmalani, remarked that it raised concerns about the will. He explained that just two months after the will was reportedly executed, Sunjay Kapoor tried to arrange Portuguese citizenship for his children, and reportedly for Karisma, too. However, it was noted that she refused since she would have to give up her Indian citizenship due to the unavailability of dual citizenship policies.
Furthermore, this attempt to escort his former family out of India would exempt them from inheritance tax on overseas properties. The shift would not only include the Sona Comstar chairman’s children with Karisma Kapoor, but also with his current wife, Priya Kapur.
Jethmalani called the two-month gap between the execution of the will and the citizenship transfer a suspicious circumstance. He concluded that this move would have left all overseas assets to Kapur and nothing to the children.
Sunjay Kapoor’s will
As per reports, Karisma Kapoor’s children moved the Delhi High Court for a share in their father’s property. Kapoor’s lawyers also claimed that Priya Kapur fabricated a will for her personal interest. However, as per the plaintiff’s lawyer, the Kapoors had already received Rs 19,000 crore from the trust, despite an unregistered, but legal will.
The HC has registered the petition filed by both the children of Karisma, challenging the will. Issuing a notice to Priya Kapur to file a list of all movable and immovable assets, the hearing has been adjourned till October 9. The entire estate battle is followed by Sunjay Kapoor’s sudden death during a polo match in London, after he suffered a heart attack on June 12.