Recent court filings have revealed that Sunjay Kapur, the late businessman and ex-husband of actress Karisma Kapoor, was allegedly assisting Karisma and their children in obtaining Portuguese citizenship. This revelation has emerged amidst a heated legal battle over Kapur's ₹30,000 crore estate between his children from his marriage to Karisma, Samaira and Kiaan, and his widow, Priya Sachdev Kapur.

According to court documents, including WhatsApp chats, Sunjay Kapur was actively involved in the process of securing Portuguese citizenship for Karisma and their two children. These documents suggest that Kapur was in regular communication with Karisma regarding the matter. One of the messages cited in the suit indicates that Kapur informed Karisma that acquiring a Portuguese passport would necessitate relinquishing her Indian citizenship, as India does not permit dual citizenship.

The reason behind Sunjay Kapur's alleged push for Portuguese citizenship may be linked to inheritance tax benefits. Karisma Kapoor's lawyer has suggested that Kapur may have been considering Portuguese citizenship for his children to protect and manage his foreign assets more effectively. Portugal offers tax-free inheritance of properties, which could have been a significant advantage for Kapur's heirs. The lawyer stated that Sunjay was considering Portuguese citizenship to potentially save all three of his children, including his daughter with Priya Kapur, from inheritance tax because Portugal does not have an inheritance tax regime.

Despite Sunjay Kapur's efforts, Karisma Kapoor ultimately rejected the offer of Portuguese citizenship for herself and her children. Her primary reason for doing so was that she did not want to give up her Indian citizenship. While she engaged in discussions with Sunjay Kapur about the possibility, she ultimately decided against changing her and her children's citizenship.

The timing of Sunjay Kapur's attempt to secure Portuguese citizenship for his children has raised questions, particularly in light of his will. Karisma Kapoor's lawyer has pointed out that Kapur's will excluded Samaira and Kiaan, meaning they were denied any inheritance rights. The lawyer finds it suspicious that Kapur would seek to arrange Portuguese citizenship for his children around the end of May 2025, about two months after the will was reportedly executed, while the will itself did not include them. This has led to speculation about Kapur's true intentions and whether the citizenship offer was a way to circumvent the will's provisions.

The Delhi High Court is currently examining these documents as part of the ongoing legal battle over Sunjay Kapur's estate. The court has directed Priya Sachdeva Kapur to file a comprehensive list of all movable and immovable assets of the deceased. The case continues to unfold, with further revelations expected in future court sessions.