Priya Kapur Sues Sister-In-Law, Podcast Host For Defamation; Seeks ₹20 Crore Damages Before Delhi High Court

Late industrialist Sunjay Kapur's wife Priya Kapur has filed a defamation suit before the Delhi High Court against her sister-in-law Mandhira Kapur Smith and host of “InControversial” podcast Pooja Chaudhri.

Priya Kapur has sought Rs. 20 crore as damages in relation to the allegedly defamatory statements and allegations "injurious to her reputation" made by them in the public domain.

As per the suit, Smith allegedly made statements in the podcast portraying Priya Kapur as an outsider who has no legitimate right to represent or control the Kapur family legacy, estate, or business affairs.

She allegedly asserted that the family's wealth and inheritance belonged exclusively to the “bloodline” and her children, while accusing Priya Kapur of attempting to “take over” the legacy and sidelining the Sunjay Kapur's family members.

The remarks alleged that Priya Kapur had improperly gained financial benefits and influence after Sunjay Kapur's death, and repeatedly framed her as someone dishonestly asserting authority over the family's assets and identity.

Priya Kapur argues that the allegedly defamatory content was deliberately published and amplified on digital platforms including YouTube, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter.)

“The Defendant No. 1's conduct is not isolated or accidental but forms part of a long-standing pattern of hostility, coercion and harassment, which earlier manifested in vexatious litigation, regulatory complaints and extortionate monetary demands made upon the Plaintiff's late husband, and which has now been redirected against the Plaintiff after his demise,” the suit states.

It adds that the impugned statements are per se defamatory, reckless and malicious, are unsupported by any factual foundation, and are not protected as fair comment or opinion.

“The continued availability and circulation of the impugned content has resulted in ongoing harm, social humiliation and emotional trauma to the Plaintiff and children,” the suit alleges.

Title: Mrs. Priya S. Kapur v. Mandhira Kapur Smith & Anr