Karisma Kapoor Refuses Portuguese Citizenship Offer to Preserve Indian Identity
A fresh revelation in the dispute over late businessman Sunjay Kapur’s massive inheritance has stirred new questions about his intentions. Legal documents submitted to the Delhi High Court show that Sunjay had proposed Portuguese citizenship for his ex-wife Karisma Kapoor and their two children—but Karisma declined, citing unwillingness to renounce her Indian passport.
In May 2025, two months after Sunjay reportedly executed his will, WhatsApp exchanges and other evidence indicate that he initiated steps to help Karisma and their children, Samaira and Kiaan, obtain Portuguese citizenship. To do so, they were told they would need to surrender their Indian citizenship—since India does not permit dual citizenship.
This offer came at a sensitive time: the will he executed in March of that year apparently assigned his overseas properties solely to his current wife, Priya, seemingly excluding Karisma’s children. Karisma’s lawyer has called this timing “suspicious,” suggesting that acquiring foreign nationality could potentially safeguard overseas assets from inheritance taxes and complicate their eligibility under Indian laws.
Karisma, through her counsel, declined the citizenship offer. Her primary concern was the requirement to give up Indian citizenship—something she was not willing to do. Her lawyer has argued that accepting the offer would have had serious implications, not just in terms of legal identification, but in casting doubt on the motives behind the will itself.
The citizenship offer is now one of several contested pieces in the broader inheritance case filed by Karisma’s children against Priya Kapur. The suit alleges the will was forged or improperly handled, and that children were effectively cut out. Lawyers for Karisma’s children point to this offer of Portuguese citizenship—made after the will—as an indicator that Sunjay was planning a structure that affected who would inherit and under what terms.
In court, judges have asked Priya Kapur to disclose all movable and immovable assets of Sunjay Kapur. The next hearing is scheduled, and scrutiny is intensifying over the will’s authenticity, its execution date, and the conditions under which overseas properties were accounted for.
What Was Offered & Why It Raised Eyebrows
In May 2025, two months after Sunjay reportedly executed his will, WhatsApp exchanges and other evidence indicate that he initiated steps to help Karisma and their children, Samaira and Kiaan, obtain Portuguese citizenship. To do so, they were told they would need to surrender their Indian citizenship—since India does not permit dual citizenship.
This offer came at a sensitive time: the will he executed in March of that year apparently assigned his overseas properties solely to his current wife, Priya, seemingly excluding Karisma’s children. Karisma’s lawyer has called this timing “suspicious,” suggesting that acquiring foreign nationality could potentially safeguard overseas assets from inheritance taxes and complicate their eligibility under Indian laws.
Karisma’s Reason for Saying No
Karisma, through her counsel, declined the citizenship offer. Her primary concern was the requirement to give up Indian citizenship—something she was not willing to do. Her lawyer has argued that accepting the offer would have had serious implications, not just in terms of legal identification, but in casting doubt on the motives behind the will itself.
Implications in the Legal Battle
The citizenship offer is now one of several contested pieces in the broader inheritance case filed by Karisma’s children against Priya Kapur. The suit alleges the will was forged or improperly handled, and that children were effectively cut out. Lawyers for Karisma’s children point to this offer of Portuguese citizenship—made after the will—as an indicator that Sunjay was planning a structure that affected who would inherit and under what terms.
In court, judges have asked Priya Kapur to disclose all movable and immovable assets of Sunjay Kapur. The next hearing is scheduled, and scrutiny is intensifying over the will’s authenticity, its execution date, and the conditions under which overseas properties were accounted for.