Sunjay Kapur Succession Dispute: The Saas-Bahu Saga At Sona Comstar Goes International
Sunjay Kapur Succession Dispute: Kapur's sudden death, wife Priya's elevation, wild conspiracy claims by his mother, Rani, and demand for an international probe explained
A sudden death, wife's elevation, wild conspiracy claims by his mother and demand for an international probe — high drama is unfolding in the Sona Comstar group after the sudden death of its chairman Sunjay Kapur.
Kapur was the chairman of Sona Comstar, a leading automotive components firm with global operations, including manufacturing for EVs across India, China, Mexico, Serbia, and the US. Kapur, 53, died on June 12, following a heart attack during a polo match triggered allegedly by a bee sting.
He was reportedly 2703rd wealthiest individual in the world. His publicly listed company was valued at Rs 30,000-40,000 crore. His net worth was estimated at $1.2 billion (Rs 10,300 crore) by Forbes in 2024, with a high point valuation of $1.6 billion (Rs 13,000 crore).
Sona Comstar was founded by his father, Surinder Kapur, in 1997. After Surinder's death in 2015, Sunjay Kapur had taken over the reins.
Who are the key players in the Sona Comstar succession battle?
Rani Kapur: Sunjay Kapur's mother and former chairperson of the Sona Group. She is challenging the company's succession plan and has raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding her son's death, hinting at foul play.
Priya Sachdev Kapur: Sunjay Kapur's wife and a former model-businesswoman. She has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director on the company's board.
Jeffrey Mark Overly: Appointed as the new Chairperson of Sona Comstar's Board of Directors
What about Sanjay Kapur's kids?
Ex-wife and actor Karisma Kapoor's children: Samaira and Kiaan
She has two kids – Safira, from her earlier marriage, and Azarias with Kapur.
According to NDTV, Kapur had gifted Rs 14 crore in bonds to his children and ensured a monthly income of Rs 10 lakh each. Karisma Kapoor received a family-owned property, originally belonging to Kapur's father, during their divorce settlement.
Speculation is intense as Priya has changed her Instagram handle to 'Priya Sunjay Kapur', and Safira also allegedly removed 'Chatwal' from her surname.
What is at stake in the Sona Comstar succession battle?
Rs 30,000-crore empire that has stakes in various international ventures.
Race-horse breeder RK Family Trust, which owns the promoter share in Sona Comstar through Aureus Investments Pvt Ltd, has listed Kapur as its sole beneficiary, according to NDTV.
At the centre of the power struggle is Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd (Sona Comstar), a Gurugram-headquartered company. After Kapur's death, the company announced that his wife, Priya Sachdev Kapur, would be inducted as a non-executive director from July 23, 2025.
Protesting against the move indirectly, Rani Kapur, in a letter to his company, Sona Comstar, and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), has questioned the 'suspicious circumstances", saying there is 'more than what meets the eye". She had asserted that some individuals, were 'purporting to be the largest shareholders" according to information received under compulsion.
'As you are aware, on 12.06.2025, my son Mr. Sunjay Kapur tragically passed away under highly suspicious and unexplained circumstances in the United Kingdom. Despite all attempts, I am not able to receive answers about my son's death. Despite me seeking information, I have been unable to receive any relevant answers and documents explaining the incident and have been confined to the knowledge and version set out by the media. While we're in mourning, some people trying to usurp family legacy," she said
She maintained that she has not given her consent to add anyone to the board of Sona group of companies. Rani claimed she has been 'totally denied access" to her accounts. 'I have been left to the mercy of a select few for survival. All this, in less than a month of my only son passing," she said.
How did Sona Comstar react to Rani Kapur's letter?
Despite her request, the AGM of the group happened on July 25, in which Sunjay Kapur's wife Priya Sachdev Kapur was appointed as a non-executive director with 99.44 per cent votes. Priya's appointment, nominated by Aureus Investments, is vetted by the board's Nomination and Remuneration Committee. Rani called it unauthorised.
In its response, Sona Comstar's parent company, Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd., rejected her claims, stating that Rani Kapur has not been a shareholder since 2019 and, therefore, has no standing to interfere in company matters. The company emphasized that there was no requirement to defer the AGM. Citing a declaration filed in May 2019, the company said Sanjay Kapur had been identified as the 'sole beneficial owner" of the shares, and that Priya Sachdev Kapur was subsequently nominated to the board based on this ownership.
Sona BLW reiterated that the company is not a family-run business. In a statement, it noted that 72% of its shares are held by institutional and public investors, while the promoter entity owns the remaining 28% — without any special rights or control.
In the legal notice, Sona Comstar accused Rani Kapur of defaming the company and causing reputational damage.
Sona Comstar also responded with a Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) filing denying all her allegations.
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'I need closure': On August 4, Rani Kapur approaches UK authorities on son's death
On August 4, ANI quoted Rani Kapur as having formally lodged a criminal complaint with the UK authorities, calling for an investigation into the suspicious circumstances of her son's untimely death. 'The events leading to Sunjay's death are very alarming. The turn of events in Sunjay's death are seriously troubling," a family source informed ANI, further saying that the UK authorities have been urged to take immediate action. Given that Sunjay is an American citizen, ANI also confirmed that American agencies have started monitoring the case.
'I still don't know what happened to my son. I am old now. I need closure before I go," Rani said during an emotional interview with ANI, her first ever media appearance since the incident.
I still don't know what happened to my son, need closure…I am here to remind the world that our family legacy must not be lost: Rani Kapur (mother of businessman late Sunjay Kapur) to ANI pic.twitter.com/1QHE7G1sEG — ANI (@ANI) July 29, 2025
'Our family's legacy must not be lost': Rani Kapur's emotional interview
Rani Kapur, in her recent ANI interview, spoke of the origins of the company, she reminisced about Sona Comstar's early days. 'I recall the early days of Sona—founded with care, sacrifice, and love," she stated, emphasising her emotional and historical connections with the company.
This contradicted Sona Comstar's statement that she has not been involved with the firm since 2019.
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Due to her advanced age and deteriorating health, Rani Kapur said that she would not make further public statements. 'My legal team will address everything necessary," she said, adding, 'I am here to remind the world that our family's legacy must not be lost. It must be passed on, as my husband always wanted it to be."
With Agency, ANI Inputs
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Manjiri Joshi
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First Published:
August 05, 2025, 12:44 IST
News explainers Sunjay Kapur Succession Dispute: The Saas-Bahu Saga At Sona Comstar Goes International
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