Sona Comstar says no documents signed from Rani Kapur, proceeds with AGM
A high-stakes succession battle has erupted at Sona Comstar, one of India’s top auto component manufacturers valued at ₹300 billion (approx. $3.5 billion), following the sudden death of its chairman, Sunjay Kapur, in June.
Despite a heartfelt request from Sunjay’s mother, Rani Kapur, to postpone the company’s 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM), the board proceeded with the scheduled July 25 meeting—prompting criticism and raising questions about corporate governance.
Tragedy in Windsor: The sudden death of Sunjay Kapur
On June 12, 53-year-old Sunjay Kapur collapsed during a polo match at Guards Polo Club in Windsor, UK. Reports suggest a possible bee ingestion incident may have triggered a fatal heart attack mid-game. A seasoned polo player, he was representing his team, Aureus.
He is survived by his wife Priya Sachdev Kapur, their young son Azarias, and two older children from a previous marriage.
Grief turns to conflict: Family feud erupts
Kapur’s passing has led to a bitter feud within the family. Rani Kapur, widow of Sona Group founder Dr. Surinder Kapur, claims she was coerced and excluded from key decisions during her period of mourning.
In a letter to SEBI and company shareholders, she alleged she was pressured into signing documents without fully reviewing them, describing the AGM as “insensitive” and accusing the board of undermining the family legacy, particularly with the appointment of Priya Sachdev Kapur as a non-executive director.
“I was emotionally shattered and coerced into signing documents I hadn’t seen,” she wrote. “This AGM is a betrayal of the family legacy.”
Sona Comstar responds: ‘No stake, no say’
The company strongly refuted the claims in an official statement, noting:
Rani Kapur has not held shares in the company since 2019.
No documents were signed or collected from her after Sunjay’s death.
All board decisions, including Priya’s appointment, followed due process and shareholder approval.
The AGM notice was issued on July 1; her request to delay came only on July 24.
Sunjay Kapur was the sole beneficiary of the RK Family Trust, which holds the promoter stake via Aureus Investments Pvt Ltd.
New leadership, new tensions
Adding to the friction, the board swiftly appointed Jeffrey Mark Overly as chairman within days of Sunjay’s passing—a decision Rani Kapur claims was made without family consultation.
She also raised concerns over unauthorized individuals claiming to represent the family:
“Certain people are misrepresenting themselves as family nominees. I have not approved any such nominations,” she stated.
Power struggle: Who controls Sona Group?
Rani Kapur maintains she holds a controlling interest in the broader Sona Group through her late husband’s will and argues she should have been involved in key governance decisions.
Her legal team has hinted at a possible court challenge to the AGM’s outcomes:
“If you choose to move forward without conferring with me, I will assume this is a conscious betrayal of the family legacy.”
Leadership crisis
Sunjay Kapur’s death shocked both the corporate and entertainment worlds. A billionaire industrialist and ex-husband of actress Karisma Kapoor, he collapsed during a polo match in London at age 53.
The 53-year-old Chairman of Sona Comstar, known as much for his business acumen as his high-profile marriage to actress Karisma Kapoor, suffered a fatal cardiac arrest mid-match.
More than a celebrity spouse
Though often in the headlines for his high-profile relationships—with Karisma Kapoor, Nandita Mahtani, and later Priya Sachdev—Sunjay Kapur built an impressive business legacy.
After succeeding his father Dr. Surinder Kapur in 2015, he transformed Sona Comstar into a global player, expanding into China, Mexico, Serbia, and the United States, with a growing focus on electric mobility and advanced auto tech.
Net worth surpassing Bollywood’s biggest names
According to Forbes, Kapur had a net worth of $1.2 billion (₹10,300 crore) at the time of his death, peaking at $1.6 billion (₹13,000 crore) in 2022 and 2024.
That made him wealthier than India’s richest actor, Shah Rukh Khan (approx. $880 million/₹7,700 crore), and far wealthier than his ex-wife’s family—the Kapoor clan, whose collective worth is estimated around ₹2,000 crore. Karisma Kapoor herself is said to be worth ₹120 crore.
The company issued a notice to shareholders for its 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM), scheduled for July 25, to vote on several matters
Succession: Who takes over Sona comstar?
Sunjay Kapur is survived by:
Samaira (20) and Kiaan (14), his children with Karisma Kapoor
Azarias (6), his son with Priya Sachdev
None of the children are currently involved in the company, and due to their ages, are unlikely to step into leadership roles soon.
Under Indian law, management of his estate is expected to pass to Priya Sachdev Kapur. However, reports indicate that Samaira and Kiaan were not overlooked—Sunjay had arranged ₹140 million (approx. $1.7 million) in bonds for them and ensured a monthly income of ₹1 million (approx. $12,000) each as part of a detailed succession plan.
Legacy under scrutiny
Beyond the headlines, Sunjay Kapur’s death has thrown the company—and the family—into uncertainty. The battle over control, trust ownership, and board power could affect the future of one of India’s most valuable auto-tech firms.
While Sona Comstar maintains its operations remain unaffected, all eyes are on the legal and boardroom maneuvers that could shape its next chapter.
Who is Priya Sachdev Kapur?
At the center of this unfolding drama is Priya Sachdev Kapur, a Delhi-born entrepreneur, former model, and now non-executive director at Sona Comstar.
Background and career
Daughter of prominent auto dealer Ashok Sachdev
Studied mathematics and business management at University College London (UCL), with a stint at UCLA
Started her career in M&A at Credit Suisse, London
Returned to India to lead ventures in auto retail, fashion, insurance, and luxury e-commerce
She co-founded Rock N Shop, one of India’s early luxury e-commerce platforms, and also leads the Aureus Polo Team, founded by her late husband.
Her personal life has also made headlines—from her previous marriage to hotelier Vikram Chatwal to her 2017 wedding to Sunjay Kapur.
What lies ahead?
With the AGM concluded but family tensions escalating, Sona Comstar stands at a pivotal moment.
Whether this succession conflict is resolved internally or spills into the courts will determine the legacy of Sunjay Kapur—and the future of one of India’s most prominent industrial dynasties.
Timeline of events leading to the Sona Comstar succession dispute
June 12, 2025
Sunjay Kapur, Chairman and Non-Executive Director of Sona Comstar, died suddenly of a heart attack during a polo match in Windsor, UK. A well-respected industry figure, he also served as President of ACMA, Co-Chair of the CII Manufacturing Council, and was a board member at The Doon School.
June 23, 2025
Sona Comstar announced key board appointments:Jeffrey Mark Overly was named the new Chairperson of the Board.
Priya Sachdev Kapur, Sunjay’s widow, was appointed as an Additional Non-Executive Director.
Priya was also named Chairperson of the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee and a member of the ESG Committee. All appointments were stated to be subject to shareholder approval.
July 1, 2025
The company issued a notice for its 29th AGM, scheduled for July 25, with the agenda including the formal appointment of Priya Sachdev Kapur.
July 25, 2025 (Morning)
Hours before the AGM, Rani Kapur submitted a formal request to postpone the meeting by two weeks. In her letter to the board, she alleged coercion, misrepresentation, and exclusion during the family’s mourning period.
Key Allegations:
Claimed to be the majority stakeholder in the Sona Group per Dr. Surinder Kapur’s will (dated June 30, 2015).
Alleged she was pressured into signing documents during funeral arrangements.
Asserted she had not authorized any person to represent her or the family in any group company.
July 25, 2025 (Afternoon)
Despite the objections, Sona Comstar proceeded with the AGM as planned. The outcomes of the meeting — including shareholder decisions — are expected to be released shortly via official stock exchange disclosures.
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