The Supreme Court on Thursday appointed former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud as mediator in the ongoing inheritance dispute involving the family of late businessman Sanjay Kapur. The move came after all parties expressed willingness to attempt an amicable settlement in the long-running family conflict.
A Bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Ujjal Bhuyan also cautioned the family members against making public comments or sharing posts on social media about the dispute. The court observed that such a private matter should not be turned into public discussion or “entertainment for others,” stressing that it must remain within the family.
Court Urges Private and Respectful Resolution
The Bench emphasized that the dispute should be resolved through cooperation rather than prolonged litigation. It noted that all parties must approach mediation with sincerity and an open mind, aiming to settle differences at the earliest possible stage.
The court also made it clear that unnecessary legal battles should be avoided, particularly in what it described as a deeply personal family matter involving multiple stakeholders, including senior members of the family.
Appointment of Mediator
The decision to appoint D.Y. Chandrachud as mediator followed submissions from senior advocates representing the parties, who agreed to explore settlement through dialogue. The court said it would review a preliminary report from the mediation process before taking further steps and scheduled the next hearing for August.
It also clarified that the mediation would be limited strictly to disputes among immediate family members and would not extend to unrelated or collateral issues.
Background of the Dispute
The case concerns the estate of Sanjay Kapur, chairperson of automotive component company Sona Comstar, who passed away last year due to a cardiac arrest while playing polo in London. His personal and business legacy has since become the subject of a legal battle involving multiple family members.
The dispute primarily revolves around the Rani Kapur Family Trust, created in 2017, which holds shares in Sona Comstar. Senior family member Rani Kapur has challenged the formation and functioning of the trust, alleging that it was established without her informed consent after she suffered a medical setback.
Her petition claims that key assets were transferred into the trust under the guise of routine documentation and seeks protection of the estate along with a status quo on asset distribution.
Earlier Court Observations
In earlier hearings, the Supreme Court had already encouraged the parties to consider mediation instead of continuing a prolonged legal fight. The Bench had noted that such disputes are better resolved through dialogue, especially given the personal nature of the conflict and the involvement of senior family members.
The court’s latest direction marks a renewed push toward an out-of-court settlement, with mediation now formally underway under the supervision of the former Chief Justice.
