Businesswoman Priya Sachdeva Kapur has approached the Delhi High Court seeking ₹20 crore in damages through a civil defamation suit, accusing her sister-in-law Mandhira Kapur Smith and a podcaster of damaging her reputation through a series of public statements made across podcasts, interviews and social media platforms.
The civil suit comes alongside a criminal defamation complaint already filed before an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate in Delhi, in which Kapur alleges that the remarks formed part of a sustained campaign of false assertions, insinuations and personal attacks presented as facts despite related issues being sub judice.
Court filings state that the disputed content was circulated widely online, causing what Kapur describes as serious harm to her personal and professional standing. The legal action unfolds against the backdrop of an ongoing family dispute linked to the RK Family Trust and estate matters involving the late industrialist Sunjay Kapur.
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According to people familiar with the proceedings, Kapur has argued that instead of pursuing lawful remedies, the respondents chose to air allegations in the public domain, creating misleading narratives that amounted to harassment by public discourse.
Represented by senior advocate Maninder Singh along with counsel Smriti Asmita, Kapur contended before the court that the material published and broadcast advances a distorted version of events with the intent to malign her. Singh submitted that the alleged conduct squarely attracts provisions relating to criminal defamation, adding that reputational harm was amplified by the scale and reach of digital platforms.
The criminal complaint has been formally registered at Patiala House Courts. Kapur has specifically cited recent public remarks by Mandhira Kapur Smith questioning her conduct and motives as forming a central part of the allegedly defamatory material.
Linked to wider estate proceedings
The defamation litigation is intertwined with parallel legal proceedings surrounding family trust arrangements and estate issues. In a related matter, a court recently sought actor Karisma Kapoor’s response to Kapur’s application seeking certified copies of divorce-related records connected to Sunjay Kapur.
Legal sources said these overlapping proceedings reflect the deepening nature of the family dispute, which has now spilled into multiple judicial forums, including the Delhi High Court and lower criminal courts.
In her pleadings, Kapur has maintained that while substantive issues are being examined by competent courts, public commentary portraying allegations as established facts has prejudiced her position and influenced public perception.
Civil damages and criminal liability sought
Through the civil suit, Kapur is seeking ₹20 crore in damages for what she claims is reputational loss caused by defamatory content circulated online. Separately, the criminal complaint seeks penal action against those named, alleging deliberate dissemination of unverified claims.
Her legal team has argued that the combination of podcasts, interviews and social media posts created a cumulative impact, turning private family disagreements into a public spectacle and exposing Kapur to unwarranted scrutiny.
Sources said the High Court matter is expected to be listed for preliminary hearing shortly, where the court may consider issuing notices to the respondents.
Growing scrutiny of online speech
Legal experts note that the case underscores increasing judicial scrutiny of digital platforms and influencers, particularly where personal disputes are played out publicly. Courts have repeatedly held that freedom of expression does not extend to defamatory speech, even when framed as opinion or commentary.
For Kapur, the twin proceedings — civil and criminal — signal an attempt to draw firm legal boundaries around online discourse while pursuing accountability through established judicial processes.
As the family trust dispute continues to evolve, the outcome of the defamation cases could set important precedents on how reputational harm arising from podcasts and social media is assessed by Indian courts.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
