Madras High Court Intervenes in Boney Kapoor’s Property Dispute Over Sridevi’s 1988 ECR Land

Ziya Khan August 26, 2025Last Updated: August 26, 2025

The Madras High Court has stepped into a fresh legal dispute involving the late Bollywood icon Sridevi’s property on Chennai’s East Coast Road (ECR). The court has directed the Tambaram tahsildar to issue a clear decision within four weeks regarding ownership claims. The case was initiated by film producer Boney Kapoor, who alleges that three individuals have fraudulently claimed ownership of land his late wife purchased in 1988.Presiding over the case, Justice N. Anand Venkatesh ordered this directive after hearing Kapoor’s plea to cancel a legal heirship certificate obtained by the claimants in 2005. Kapoor contends that the certificate was wrongly granted in their favor and is now being used to stake claims on Sridevi’s farmhouse property.

The contested land originally belonged to M.C. Sambanda Mudaliar, whose family divided the property among three sons and two daughters through a mutual agreement in 1960. Relying on this arrangement, Sridevi lawfully acquired the land on April 19, 1988, via a registered deed. Since then, she and her family maintained full possession, using it as a farmhouse retreat.

The dispute surfaced years later when three individuals—claiming to be the second wife and children of one of Mudaliar’s sons—asserted inheritance rights, supported by a legal heirship certificate issued by the Tambaram tahsildar in 2005.

Kapoor has challenged their claims vigorously, arguing that the tahsildar lacked jurisdiction since the original owner was a Mylapore resident. He also disputed the validity of the alleged second marriage, stating it was not legally recognized, thus invalidating their status as legal heirs under the Hindu Succession Act.Backed by evidence proving the authenticity of the 1988 purchase, Kapoor urged the court to declare the certificate fraudulent. After reviewing the arguments, Justice Venkatesh instructed the tahsildar to thoroughly investigate and decide the matter within four weeks.

The case has drawn significant attention, not only for its legal intricacies but also for its emotional resonance, as it involves the legacy of one of Indian cinema’s most cherished stars, whose death in 2018 deeply affected millions.