Sunjay's mom challenges wife's posting as Sona Comstar director
Sunjay Kapur
, the promoter of
Sona Comstar
who died last month following a heart attack during a polo match, reports Pankaj Doval.
Alleging that the death of her son in the UK was "highly suspicious and (under) unexplained circumstances", Sunjay's mother Rani sought deferment of the company's AGM scheduled for Thursday, which, among other matters, had been called to approve the appointment of
Priya Sachdev Kapur
(Sunjay's wife) as a non-executive director.
The AGM, however, went ahead as scheduled and Priya's appointment was approved by the board after being reviewed by the nomination and remuneration committee.
Sona Comstar: Sunjay Kapur's mother not co's shareholder
In a letter addressed to the company's board, Rani - without taking names - had alleged that some people had chosen the AGM as an opportune time to wrest control of the company and usurp the family legacy. She claimed that she had not given consent or officially nominated any person to be on the board of Sona BLW Precision Forgings (Sona Comstar).
Rani also claimed that she was compelled to sign various papers while in a fragile emotional state following her son's death. "The contents of such documents have never been revealed to me," she was quoted as saying in the letter, according to a news agency.
In a statement after the AGM, the company - which is run by non-family professionals (as decided by Sunjay during his lifetime) - denied any wrongdoing, and said that Priya's appointment had been approved after her name was nominated by Aureus Investments Pvt Ltd, the promoter family entity for Sona Comstar in which the Kapur family held a significant stake.
Sona Comstar claimed that Rani is not a shareholder of the company and denied asking her to sign any documents after Sunjay's death. "Based on the legal counsel and the fact that
Rani Kapur
is not a shareholder of the company, the company concluded that it could not defer the AGM. For clarity, the company confirms that no documents have been signed or obtained from Rani Kapur following the passing of Sunjay Kapur," the statement said.
It added that the AGM was conducted "in full compliance with applicable laws" and regulatory frameworks. "Sona Comstar remains committed to the highest standards of corporate governance and transparency."
The company said that it had sought urgent legal advice from "one of India's most reputed law firms" in relation to the legality of proceeding with the AGM after Rani had requested a deferment.
In her letter, Rani had stated that certain people were representing themselves as being "the largest shareholders of the company since they claim to represent the interest of the family in the company".
She claimed that by virtue of a will executed by her late husband Surinder Kapur, she is the sole beneficiary of his estate and accordingly a major shareholder of Sona Group, including the auto component firm.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Sunjay Kapur's Stepdaughter Safira Drops Her Surname; Will She Inherit From His Rs 30,000 Crore Fortune?
Last Updated: Sunjay Kapur's stepdaughter Safira has removed his surname, raising questions about her place in his ₹30,000 crore empire. The sudden demise of industrialist Sunjay Kapur during a polo match in London on June 12 has not only left the business world shaken, but has also ignited a fiery inheritance battle—one that may become one of India's most complicated and emotionally charged family disputes in recent memory. With a fortune estimated at ₹30,000 crore, a powerful legacy tied to Sona Comstar, one of the world's leading auto component manufacturers, and an extended family bound by multiple marriages, adopted children, and estranged relations—the question now reverberating through legal circles and boardrooms is: who gets what? The Heiress or the Outsider? What Will Stepdaughter Safira Inherit? At the heart of the swirling legal and emotional storm is the status of Safira, daughter of Sunjay's third wife Priya Sachdev Kapur from her previous marriage to businessman Vikram Chatwal. Under Indian inheritance laws, a stepchild has no legal claim to an estate unless formally adopted. According to reports, Sunjay had indeed adopted Safira, which—if legally documented—would make her a rightful heir alongside his other children. But this adoption carries a twist. If Sunjay formally adopted Safira, she may forfeit any right to her biological father Vikram Chatwal's inheritance. And if no will exists that clarifies her stake in Sunjay's estate, she sits in a legal grey area. Adding further intrigue, both Priya and Safira reportedly changed their surnames—with Priya now styling herself as Priya Sunjay Kapur, and Safira dropping 'Chatwal" in favor of 'Safira Kapur." Observers believe this rebranding is more than symbolic—it could be a strategic move to fortify their standing in the inheritance battle. Karisma Kapoor's Children: Financially Secured, But Outside the Empire? Sunjay Kapur had two children with Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor—Samaira (20) and Kiaan (14). While the couple's 2016 divorce ended their marriage, it didn't sever Sunjay's responsibilities as a father. According to media reports, Samaira and Kiaan were gifted bonds worth ₹14 crore, and each is guaranteed a monthly income of ₹10 lakh—a sign of Sunjay's long-term financial planning. Additionally, Karisma Kapoor was granted ownership of a family home that once belonged to Sunjay's father, Dr. Surinder Kapur. But when it comes to Sona Comstar or the promoter stake held via Aureus Investments Pvt Ltd, there's little to suggest that Samaira and Kiaan have any managerial or financial role. Their inheritance, though substantial, seems more personal than corporate. The Legal Wife and Biological Son: Priya and Azarius Stand at the Center As Sunjay's legal spouse at the time of his death, Priya Sachdev Kapur is automatically entitled to a major portion of his estate—especially if no will exists to direct otherwise. More significantly, their 6-year-old son Azarius is a direct legal heir, with an undebated claim to Sunjay's estate and his stake in Sona Comstar, especially the RK Family Trust, where Sunjay was the sole beneficiary. If the reports about Safira's adoption are confirmed, she too would inherit equal rights to Azarius. A Family Torn: Rani Kapur vs The Board The aftermath of Sunjay Kapur's death has triggered turbulence not only in courtrooms and among heirs but also within the Sona Comstar boardroom. In a letter addressed to SEBI and the company's shareholders, Sunjay's mother Rani Kapur made explosive allegations, claiming, 'I was emotionally shattered and coerced into signing documents I hadn't seen. This AGM is a betrayal of the family legacy." She also objected to Priya's appointment as a non-executive director, accusing the board of bypassing family consultation and allowing outsiders to represent the Kapur family's interests. However, the company has issued a rebuttal, asserting that Rani Kapur held no shares since 2019 and that all board appointments, including Priya's, followed due process and shareholder approval. Despite these assurances, Sona Comstar's shares dipped 7% after Sunjay's death, signaling investor anxiety about leadership and succession. The board issued a statement hoping to allay concerns, 'His vision, values, and dedication to excellence have left a lasting legacy for the company. We assure our customers, business partners, employees, and shareholders that our operations and prospects remain unchanged as we honour his legacy." The Unusual Death That Shook Corporate India Sunjay Kapur's death was as sudden as it was unusual. While playing a match at London's Guards Polo Club, he reportedly inhaled a bee mid-game. The sting to his throat allegedly triggered a heart attack. Though he left the field after feeling uneasy, he collapsed shortly after and was declared dead on the spot. From Bollywood to Boardrooms: A Life Full of Twists Sunjay Kapur's personal life was almost as headline-grabbing as his professional one. He first married Nandita Mahtani, a fashion designer. His second marriage to Karisma Kapoor in 2003 was widely followed by the media. They welcomed two children before parting ways in 2016. His third and final marriage was to Priya Sachdev, a former model and businesswoman, who had daughter Safira from her previous marriage to Vikram Chatwal. The Verdict Awaits: A Family, A Fortune, and the Fight to Define Legacy As lawyers pour over wills (if they exist), and family members take sides in the shadows of public scrutiny, the Kapur empire stands at a crucial inflection point. At stake is not just money—but identity, legacy, control, and closure. Whether the final chapter of Sunjay Kapur's legacy will be defined by dignified succession or courtroom drama remains to be seen. But for now, the battle lines have been drawn—with the whole nation watching. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Today
a day ago
- India Today
Death, disputes and looming legal battle: Unfolding Sona Comstar saga
Rani Kapur, widow of auto industry magnate Surinder Kapur and mother of the late Sanjay Kapur, has emerged at the center of a bitter family succession dispute, not as a grieving mother, but as the unanticipated face of a deepening corporate after the sudden death of her son, Sanjay, Rani Kapur has accused family members of misleading her and sidelining her during the crucial transition of control over the family's flagship company, Sona a shocking revelation, Rani has also raised questions about the circumstances surrounding her son's untimely death in the United Kingdom, alleging that it occurred under suspicious and unexplained conditions. Sources told that she has formally requested UK authorities to probe his death, as the official explanation of a "bee sting" remains both puzzling and the company, Rani Kapur recently submitted a letter to Sona Comstar ahead of its Annual General Meeting (AGM), asserting that she holds the majority stake in the group and is the rightful legal heir to her husband's estate. In the letter, she claims that, during her period of mourning, she was repeatedly approached and coerced into signing various documents, the contents of which were not disclosed to Comstar, however, rejected these allegations, stating that Mrs. Kapur is not a shareholder in the company. In a formal statement issued on July 25, the company defended its decision to proceed with the AGM, citing regulatory timelines and expert legal advice. It stressed its commitment to transparency and corporate close to the matter have claimed that Rani Kapur now alleges she has been unjustly excluded from her own home, company accounts and all family assets. She contends that all companies and properties in question were developed in the 1980s and 1990s, during which time only she and her late husband, Dr. Surinder Kapur, played a pivotal role. Furthermore, she asserts that Dr. Kapur had made a will that bequeathed his entire estate, including properties, assets and shareholding, solely to sources aware of the matter also revealed that Rani Kapur has questioned why she would have willingly handed over her late husband's estate to her third daughter-in-law, excluding herself, her daughters and her other response to her claims, Sona Comstar issued a cease-and-desist notice on July 25, warning Rani Kapoor of potential civil or criminal defamation charges unless she withdrew her statements. The company's notice came after Mrs. Kapur requested a postponement of the AGM so that the circumstances surrounding her son's death could be investigated. When this request was denied, Rani Kapur reportedly expressed her shock and responded to the company's yet another statement issued on July 28, Sona Comstar reiterated that Rani Kapur has had no direct or indirect involvement with the company since at least 2019. advertisementIt clarified that she is neither a shareholder, director, nor officer of the company and rejected the allegation that Sona Comstar is a family-owned business. The company also claimed that Rani Kapur's statements were damaging to shareholder interests and the company's Comstar further defended the reappointment of Jeffrey Mark Overly as independent director and the appointment of Priya Sachdev Kapur as non-executive director to the board, stating that both decisions were fully compliant with applicable laws and corporate governance tensions mounting, the conflict appears to have spilled over into the legal arena, where a protracted legal battle seems experts suggest that Rani Kapur's potential legal recourse lies before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). Given that Sona Comstar is registered in Gurgaon, the appropriate jurisdiction would likely be Companies Act of 2013 governs corporate matters in India, including provisions relating to oppression and mismanagement under Chapter XVI. According to the Act, a company member can approach the tribunal if they believe the company's affairs are being conducted in a manner prejudicial to public interest, oppressive to any member, or harmful to the company since Sona Comstar asserts that Mrs. Kapur is not a shareholder, she would have to convince the tribunal that she has a legitimate interest in the matter and that her removal as a shareholder was wrongful. Should she succeed, the tribunal could issue orders to regulate the company's future conduct, remove directors, cancel agreements, or take other corrective addition to her corporate claims, Mrs. Kapur could seek civil remedies before the court, including injunctions against the company. Given the allegations of coercion, she may also initiate criminal proceedings on charges such as dishonest inducement of property, cheating, and Kapur's legal team might seek urgent orders from the tribunal to freeze accounts, halt board actions, or protect her interests. If the parties prefer a less contentious resolution, they may also consider mediation or family negotiations to reach a settlement.- Ends
India.com
a day ago
- India.com
What will Karisma Kapoor's children Samaira and Kiaan inherit from Sunjay Kapoor's Rs 3000000000000 crore wealth? Wife Priya Sachdev Kapur will get...
Karisma Kapoor and Sunjay Kapur (File) Billionaire businessman and Karisma Kapoor's ex-husband, Sunjay Kapur, died suddenly on 12 June in London. He was playing a polo match at the Guards Polo Club when he began to feel unwell. Moments later, he suffered a heart attack and passed away on the spot. As per reports, a bee flew into his throat during the game, and its sting may have triggered the heart attack. Sunjay Kapur was the Chairman of Sona Comstar, a major global auto parts company. He took charge of the business in 2015 after his father Dr. Surinder Kapur's death and led it into new international markets. Jeffrey Mark Overly is the New Chairman Sona Comstar has a market value of about Rs. 31,000 crore (around 4 billion dollars). After Sunjay Kapur's death, the company's shares dropped by 7 per cent, and people started speculating about who would take over as the next leader. In a statement, the company said, 'Sanjay Kapur's vision and dedication will always inspire us. We assure our customers, employees, and shareholders that the company will continue to run smoothly.' For now, the company is being managed by its board, and recently, Jeffrey Mark Overly has been appointed as the new Chairman. Allegations by Sunjay Kapur's Mother Rani Kapur After Sanjay Kapur's sudden death, a dispute has surfaced within the family over who will take over his legacy. His mother, Rani Kapur, has raised serious allegations. She claimed that during the time of mourning, she was kept away from key decisions, and was pressured to sign certain documents. She also accused the company's board of appointing Sanjay's wife, Priya Sachdev Kapur, as a non-executive director without the family's consent. However, the company strongly denied these claims. In its official response, the company said that Rani Kapur has not held any shares since 2019, and that all decisions were made legally and in line with company rules. What did Karisma Kapoor and her children receive? According to Forbes, Sunjay Kapur's total wealth was estimated at around USD 1.2 billion (approximately Rs. 10,300 crore). As per his will and trust, the entire estate will now be managed by his wife Priya Sachdev Kapur. This means that the share meant for their son Azarius will be handled indirectly by his mother. Sunjay Kapur was earlier married to Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor, but the couple divorced in 2016. They have two children together — Samaira (20) and Kiaan (14). Financial arrangements for these children were made in advance. As per reports: Both children were gifted bonds worth Rs. 14 crore. They also receive a monthly income of Rs. 10 lakh each. In addition, a property in Sunjay Kapur's father's name was allotted to Karisma Kapoor as part of the custody settlement.
