Amid an ongoing defamation row, the Delhi High Court has advised Priya Kapur, widow of businessman Sunjay Kapur, and his sister Mandhira Kapur Smith to avoid making any public remarks about each other. The court, which has issued summons in Priya’s defamation case against Mandhira, also encouraged both sides to explore mediation as a possible route to settle their dispute.
Justice Mini Pushkarna issues order in Priya Kapur and Mandhira Kapur Smith case
According to a report by Bar and Bench, the order was issued by a bench headed by Justice Mini Pushkarna while hearing a defamation case filed by Priya Kapur. In her plea, Priya alleged that Mandhira Kapur Smith had made defamatory remarks about her marriage, including through a podcast series released in late 2025.
Court asks Priya Kapur and Mandhira Kapur Smith to act with dignity
While hearing the matter, the court underscored that both parties must act responsibly and avoid turning the dispute into a public spectacle. Reiterating the need for civility, the bench stated, “We expect you not to make any public statements against each other… Conduct yourself with dignity, this is what the court expects.” Issuing this as an interim directive, the judge urged both Priya and Mandhira not to intensify the disagreement in public until the defamation case is fully resolved.
Podcast remarks spark Priya Kapur and Mandhira Kapur Smith defamation dispute
The civil defamation case arises from remarks that Mandhira allegedly made during her appearances on the podcast InControversial, hosted by Pooja Chaudhri, in November and December 2025.According to the same report, Priya has alleged that Mandhira implied her marriage to Sunjay was both troubled and illegitimate, with those claims further circulated through multiple social media posts and videos. The podcast’s host, Pooja Chaudhri, has also been included as a respondent in the case.
Delhi high court sets deadline for Mandhira Kapur Smith’s reply to Priya Kapur’s plea
In its latest order, Justice Mini Pushkarna directed Mandhira Kapur Smith to respond within five weeks to Priya Kapur’s interim plea, which seeks to prevent any further allegedly defamatory statements. Summons have been issued in the defamation suit, and the court observed, “Issue notice. List after five weeks. In the meantime, both parties are directed to exercise restraint in making statements against each other, directly or indirectly”. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for May 14.
Priya Kapur seeks Rs 20 crore in defamation damages against Mandhira Kapur Smith
In her application, Priya has asked the court to issue an injunction preventing Mandhira from making any further statements she considers defamatory. She has also demanded Rs 20 crore in compensation for what she describes as “loss of reputation, mental agony, emotional distress and social humiliation.” As cited in her petition, Priya accuses Mandhira of repeatedly posting and sharing videos that identified her and contained remarks meant to incite public ridicule, hatred, and social isolation. The plea further alleges that soon after Sunjay Kapur’s passing, Mandhira Kapur Smith “embarked upon a systematic and organised course of conduct aimed at maligning, humiliating and socially discrediting the Plaintiff [Priya Kapur].”
Maninder Singh represents Priya Kapur in defamation case against Mandhira Kapur Smith
Appearing on behalf of Priya, Senior Advocate Maninder Singh highlighted before the court several public statements allegedly made by Mandhira Kapur Smith, reported. “A grieving widow and a seven-year-old son are subjected to such derogatory statements like that there was no bloodline present. She [Mandhira] is saying they (Priya and her minor son) are thieves, robbers, and third wife, and that she [Priya] was just filling the gap,” he told the court. Singh added that Priya Kapur has refrained from giving any media interviews in connection with the dispute.
Amit Sibal defends Mandhira Kapur Smith in dispute with Priya Kapur
Representing Mandhira Kapur Smith, Senior Advocate Amit Sibal contended that his client had also been subjected to public attacks and a wider smear campaign. “Considering the relationship between the parties and media trials that are happening… It’s a telltale. Concerted media vilificatory campaign,” he said.
Civil and criminal cases between Priya Kapur and Mandhira Kapur Smith continue
The ongoing legal feud between Priya and Mandhira spans both civil and criminal proceedings. As reported, a criminal defamation case filed by Priya against Mandhira is already pending before the Patiala House Court in Delhi, while the present civil action has been initiated through advocate Smriti Asmita. For now, the Delhi High Court has instructed both parties to maintain silence in the public sphere and refrain from making any further statements about each other until the matter is resolved.