Karisma, estranged husband nearing divorce settlement, SC told

Mumbai, Mar 9: The Supreme Court was informed on Tuesday that both Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor and her estranged husband Sunjay Kapur have agreed on all terms of settlement for parting ways and only they have to work out a few modalities before this could be signed.

"Parties have, by and large, agreed on all the terms on which settlement can be recorded. However, before the settlement can be signed, few modalities have to be worked out," before formal parting of ways, a bench of Justice A.K.Sikri and Justice R.K.Agrawal said in their order after the hearing.

Senior counsel Mahesh Jethmalani who has appeared for the actress said that the terms of settlement leading to divorce would include maintenance of their two children. Holding the hearing in their chamber with both parties present with their lawyers, the court noted in its order that, "It is stated by the petitioner (Sunjay Kapur) that those (terms of settlement) would be completed by the end of March 31, 2016." The court then directed posting of the matter at 12.45 p.m. on April 8.

It permitted Sunjay Kapur to meet his two children, whose birthday falls on March 11 and 12, at the residence of Karisma or at the venue where birthday celebrations would take place.

"We are also informed that the birthdays of the children of the parties are falling on 11th and 12th March, 2016 respectively. The petitioner (Sunjay Kapoor) has expressed his desire to meet the children on their respective birthdays. He can visit and meet the children at the residence of the respondent (Karisma) or at the venue of the birthday celebrations," the court said in its order.

Jethmalani told the court that after the last hearing, "They have informed the police about the talks between the parties under the aegis of this court and instructions are given not to take any precipitating step or arrest of the petitioner or his mother on their visit to Mumbai or otherwise". Recording the submission, the bench said: "We expect the police to act accordingly."

It further said that on the first hearing of the matter on February 12, it had issued notice to Delhi Police. However, the court said that in view of the developments, which have taken place, hereafter, the presence of Delhi Police is not required.

The judges also heard a plea by Sunjay Kapoor seeking transfer of their divorce proceedings from Mumbai to Delhi, alleging that he was getting threat calls from the underworld. Though the hearing of the matter was listed to take place in the judges' chamber only but due to some communication gap, the apex court reception issued them a pass for the court instead.

As presence of Bollywood actress was creating difficulty in coming in and going out of the courtroom due to the large crowd gathering, senior counsel Dushyant Dave urged the bench to hold the hearing in their chamber. "Supreme Court is inflicted by the star power," Dave said, pointing to the difficulty lawyers were facing in accessing the court room.

At this, the court said that it would hear the matter in the chamber. Thereafter, Karisma was escorted out of the courtroom and through the crowded corridor towards the chamber while many people tried to photograph her on their smartphones.