The recent passing of Sunjay Kapur, ex-husband of Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor, has brought renewed attention to the couple's highly publicized and contentious divorce. While news of his sudden death at the age of 53 has prompted condolences from some, it has also resurfaced the disturbing allegations Karisma Kapoor made against him during their divorce proceedings, including a claim that he attempted to "auction" her to one of his friends during their honeymoon.
Karisma Kapoor and Sunjay Kapur's marriage in 2003 was initially seen as a fairytale union between a Bollywood star and a prominent businessman. The couple welcomed two children, a daughter Samaira, and a son Kiaan. However, their relationship soon deteriorated, leading to a separation in 2014 and a finalized divorce in 2016. The divorce proceedings were far from amicable, with both parties levelling serious accusations against each other.
Among the most shocking allegations made by Karisma was the claim that Sunjay subjected her to both physical and mental abuse throughout their marriage. In her legal petitions, she recounted a horrifying incident that allegedly occurred during their honeymoon. According to Karisma, Sunjay attempted to "auction" her off to one of his friends, essentially offering her to sleep with him for a price. When she refused, she alleged that Sunjay physically assaulted her.
These allegations painted a grim picture of the couple's marriage and sparked widespread outrage. Karisma also claimed that Sunjay and her mother-in-law mistreated her during her pregnancy. She alleged that when she couldn't fit into a dress gifted by Sunjay's mother, he instructed his mother to slap her.
Sunjay Kapur, on the other hand, refuted Karisma's allegations and accused her of marrying him for his wealth and using him as a "rebound" after her breakup with actor Abhishek Bachchan. He claimed that Karisma was an unfit mother and that she kept him away from their children.
The divorce was eventually finalized in 2016, with Karisma being granted custody of their children and Sunjay being given visitation rights. As part of the settlement, Sunjay reportedly bought bonds worth ₹14 crore for their children, which would provide them with a monthly interest payment. Karisma also received ownership of a house in Mumbai.
Following the divorce, both Karisma and Sunjay moved on with their lives. Karisma continued her acting career, while Sunjay married Priya Sachdev in 2017. They had a son together and he also adopted Priya's daughter from a previous marriage.
Sunjay Kapur's recent death has once again brought the details of his tumultuous marriage and divorce with Karisma Kapoor into the spotlight. While some remember him as a successful businessman, others recall the serious allegations of abuse and misconduct that Karisma leveled against him during their divorce proceedings. The claims, particularly the accusation of attempting to "auction" her during their honeymoon, remain a stark reminder of the troubled relationship and the pain Karisma Kapoor allegedly endured.
Sunjay Kapur passed away on June 12, 2025, in the UK, reportedly due to a heart attack. Some reports suggest a bee sting during a polo match may have triggered the heart attack. His funeral is expected to be delayed due to legal formalities related to his US citizenship.
