Karisma Kapoor & Sunjay Kapur: Bollywood's Ugliest Custody Battle — Dowry, DV, and 13 Years in Court
She alleged DV and dowry harassment; he called her an unfit mother — the court battle lasted over a decade
Key Facts
What Happened
When Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor married industrialist Sunjay Kapur in 2003, it was presented as a fairy-tale union of Bollywood glamour and Delhi wealth. Within years, the marriage had deteriorated into allegations of domestic violence, dowry harassment, and extramarital affairs. Karisma filed for divorce and also filed a complaint under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code — the anti-dowry harassment provision — against Sunjay and his mother Rani Surinder Kapur.
The allegations were explosive. Karisma accused Sunjay of physical and emotional abuse, controlling behavior, and forcing her into humiliating situations. Sunjay counter-alleged that Karisma had married him on the rebound from a broken engagement with Abhishek Bachchan, that she was a poor mother, and that the Kapoor family had demanded excessive dowry. The public airing of these accusations — in court filings, press conferences, and tabloid leaks — made it one of the most bitter celebrity divorces in Indian history.
The custody battle over their two children, Samaira and Kiaan Raj, dragged through multiple courts for years. Each parent attempted to prove the other unfit. The case went from family court to the Bombay High Court and eventually to the Supreme Court of India, which directed both parties' lawyers to reach a settlement. The divorce was finally granted in 2016, with Karisma receiving primary custody. Sunjay was ordered to transfer his father's house in Khar, Mumbai to Karisma and purchase Rs 14 crore (approximately $1.7 million) in bonds for the children's future, with a monthly interest of around Rs 10 lakh ($12,000).
The case highlighted India's ongoing struggle with dowry harassment, domestic violence within wealthy families, and the weaponization of children in custody disputes. Section 498A — the provision Karisma invoked — is one of India's most controversial laws. Designed to protect women from dowry-related cruelty, it has been both praised as essential protection and criticized for potential misuse. The Supreme Court itself has called it a 'double-edged sword.' The Kapoor-Kapur divorce illustrated every dimension of this debate.
Legal Breakdown: Domestic Violence & Custody
Section 498A: India's Anti-Dowry Law
Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code makes it a criminal offense for a husband or his relatives to subject a woman to cruelty in connection with dowry demands. It is cognizable (police can arrest without a warrant), non-bailable, and non-compoundable (cannot be settled out of court in most states). This law gives Indian women a powerful legal tool against domestic abuse, but it also means that a single complaint can trigger immediate arrest of the husband and his family members. The U.S. has no equivalent — domestic violence laws in America are gender-neutral and do not address dowry specifically.
Multi-Court Custody Battles in India
Indian custody disputes can move through family courts, high courts, and the Supreme Court — a process that can take many years. The 'welfare of the child' is the paramount consideration, but courts also consider the mother's presumptive right to custody of young children (under the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890) and the father's financial capacity. The Kapoor-Kapur case demonstrated how India's multi-tiered court system can prolong custody battles indefinitely, with enormous emotional and financial costs for both parties and, most critically, for the children.
Financial Settlements in Indian Divorce
Unlike community property states in the U.S., India does not have a default 50/50 split. Instead, courts consider each spouse's contributions, needs, and the standard of living during marriage. Alimony (called 'maintenance' in Indian law) can be awarded under various statutes depending on religion. Property brought into the marriage generally stays with the original owner. The creative settlement here — a house transfer plus bonds generating monthly interest for the children — reflects the flexibility Indian courts have in crafting financial remedies.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →Domestic violence occurs across all economic classes. Wealth and social status do not protect anyone from an abusive marriage.
- →Section 498A is a powerful tool for Indian women, but using it strategically requires understanding its implications — including potential counter-allegations from the other side.
- →Prolonged custody battles harm children more than either parent. If you are in a custody dispute, consider whether your fight is truly about your children's welfare or about winning.
- →Document everything. In cases involving DV and dowry allegations, contemporaneous evidence (texts, photos, medical records, financial records) is far more persuasive than testimony alone.
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