Divorce and death are often deeply personal matters, but in the world of the ultra-wealthy, they frequently turn into high-stakes property disputes. The process of dividing assets in such circles is rarely straightforward. Today, it involves not only traditional properties but also sprawling overseas estates, lavish residences, and luxury farmhouses. Matters become even more tangled when former spouses, current partners, stepchildren, and biological children are all part of the picture. The struggle for control and wealth can quickly escalate into a public spectacle, with each side determined to protect — or expand — their share.

This is precisely what is unfolding after the sudden and shocking death of actress Karisma Kapoor’s ex-husband, Sunjay Kapur, on June 12. Kapur was the chairman of Sona BLW Precision Forgings Limited, better known as Sona Comstar, a major name in the auto components sector.

At just 53, Kapur’s life came to a tragic end in a freak accident. While playing a match at the prestigious Guards Polo Club in Windsor, London, he suffered a fatal heart attack caused by ingesting a bee. His passing not only left his family and associates grief-stricken but also set the stage for a bitter inheritance battle over his estimated ₹30,000 crore fortune.

The dispute intensified after his mother, Rani Kapur, stepped forward claiming she was the rightful heir. She went further, accusing unnamed individuals of trying to “usurp the family legacy” and even described her son’s death as “highly suspicious and unexplained.” Her statements came in the wake of significant leadership changes at Sona Comstar, which she openly linked to her concerns.

Mandhira Kapur’s Emotional and Cryptic Social Media Post

Amid the turmoil, Sunjay Kapur’s sister, Mandhira Kapur Smith, who had earlier acknowledged being estranged from her brother, posted an emotionally charged message on Instagram shortly after Raksha Bandhan. She shared a picture of herself alongside Sunjay and their mother, accompanied by the heartfelt caption:

“The thread that binds us, invisible yet strong, remains unbroken, as eternal as our memories. I relive the moments spent with you, and now, I find myself protecting what you would have wanted, and what dad dreamed, though it was always meant to be the other way around. If you were still here, everything would be different, everything would be better, my dear Bhaiya.”

In a follow-up, she wrote: “You carried dad’s legacy with strength. I know you would’ve kept building upon it. Protecting your memory is my sacred duty. We are brave and I know you’ll continue to protect us.”

Earlier this year, Mandhira had also publicly addressed their years-long estrangement, posting old photographs of the siblings together. “My brother and I may not have spoken for the last 4 years, a silly sibling squabble escalated to crazy levels due to egos and natural bullishness, however, that will never take back what we were and what we had,” she admitted.

Reflecting on their unresolved issues, she added: “What happened towards the end has been both horrible and pointless. I will never have my moments with him again. We will never be us and it is devastating that we didn’t fix what had become broken and so now my heart is the same. I am sure he knew despite our recent estrangement that I loved him and in my soul I am sure he shared the same hope as I that one day we would be as amazing as we were for the first 47 years. Of this I am sure and take some small comfort.”

The Kapur family’s prominence traces back to Dr. Surinder Kapur, founder of the Sona Group, who passed away in 2015 in Munich after a brief illness. Following his death, Sunjay Kapur assumed control of the business — a move that positioned him as a key figure in the automotive industry and set the stage for the vast wealth now at the center of this family conflict.

Boardroom Turmoil and Rani Kapur’s Serious Allegations

While authorities in the United Kingdom officially ruled that Sunjay Kapur’s death was due to natural causes, his mother, Rani Kapur, has refused to accept this conclusion. According to the coroner’s findings, the cause of death was ischaemic heart disease along with left ventricular hypertrophy. The report, which was made public through the office of his third wife, Priya Sachdev Kapur, presented the incident as a medical tragedy.

However, Rani Kapur saw it differently. She demanded a thorough probe into the circumstances of her son’s passing, even reaching out to the authorities herself. Her legal representative, senior advocate Vaibhav Gaggar, voiced her pain clearly: “For my client, as a mother, it’s deeply painful to watch this being dismissed as a mere freak accident and cardiac arrest. The truth doesn’t match the headlines.”

The corporate leadership of Sona Comstar saw a major shift soon after. On 23rd June, the company’s board unanimously appointed Jeffrey Mark Overly as its new chairman. Then, in a strongly worded letter dated 24th July, Rani accused certain individuals of exploiting the family’s grief to “capture power and hijack the family’s heritage.”

She went on to claim that during the immediate aftermath of her son’s death, she had been coerced into signing some documents while in a state of emotional distress. She also alleged that she was placed under financial restrictions. Adding to the tension, Rani requested the postponement of the company’s Annual General Meeting, which notably contained a resolution to appoint Priya Sachdev Kapur as a non-executive director. Despite Rani’s warning against the induction of new directors, Priya’s appointment was approved by an overwhelming majority of shareholders—99% voting in favour on 25th July.

In her assertions, Rani maintained that she was the sole beneficiary of her late husband’s estate under a will dated 30th June 2015, giving her a controlling stake in the Sona Group, which included Sona Comstar. She also voiced concerns about the manner in which the company’s legacy was being handled.

Sona Comstar, in its official regulatory filing, firmly rejected her claims. The company stated that its records showed Rani had not held any stock in the business since at least 2019. Furthermore, it pointed out that she had not been involved with the company since then and had even been served with a legal notice for making what it described as “false” statements. The filing also clarified that Sunjay Kapur was the sole beneficial owner of the RK Family Trust.

Sunjay Kapur’s Wives, Children, and the Future of His Fortune

According to Forbes, Sunjay Kapur had an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion (₹10,300 crore) at the time of his death, with his wealth peaking at $1.6 billion (₹13,000 crore) in both 2022 and 2024. As the sole beneficiary of the RK Family Trust, which holds the promoter stake in Sona Comstar through Aureus Investments Private Limited, his death meant that the control of this fortune would pass into new hands. Under the current arrangement, Priya Sachdev Kapur would inherit his wealth and oversee its management.

Sunjay’s personal life was as eventful as his corporate journey. He married three times. His first marriage was to fashion designer Nandita Mahtani, with whom he had no children. He later wed actress Karisma Kapoor, and the couple had two children together—Samaira, now 20, and Kiaan Raj, aged 14. Sunjay ensured financial security for both by gifting them bonds worth ₹14 crore, providing each with a monthly income of ₹10 lakh. Additionally, Karisma was given a house that had once belonged to Sunjay’s father, Surinder Kapur.

Karisma Kapoor has chosen to stay out of the inheritance dispute. As reported by Times Entertainment, she has “no intention of pursuing any portion of the property.” A close source clarified: “Karisma Kapoor is not involved in any inheritance or property-related matters. She has no claim, nor is she seeking any share in the estate. Her only concern is the well-being and future of her children. They will receive what is due to them. Karisma’s focus remains entirely on them.”

After his divorce from Karisma, Sunjay married model Priya Sachdev. Together, they have a son named Azarias. Sunjay also adopted Safira Chatwal, Priya’s daughter from a previous marriage, who later took on the Kapur surname. Following Sunjay’s passing, Priya and Azarias assumed control of the RK Family Trust through Aureus Investments, which holds a significant 28% stake in Sona Comstar—valued at approximately ₹8,000 crore, according to a report by Mint.

The Current Ownership Structure of Sona Comstar

The corporate ownership map of Sona Comstar is intricate, reflecting the many layers of family trusts, investment entities, and legal holdings tied to the Kapur family. At the centre of this structure is Aureus Investment Private Limited, the only major shareholder in Sona Comstar.

Given its holdings through the RK Family Trust and Raghuvanshi Investment Private Limited, Aureus formally informed the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) that Priya Sachdev Kapur and her son Azarias are the company’s significant beneficial owners. Together, RK Family Trust and Raghuvanshi Investment own 92% of Aureus.

Breaking down the numbers, 65% of Aureus is directly controlled by the RK Family Trust, while 27% is owned by Raghuvanshi Investment Private Limited. Interestingly, Aureus itself holds 39% of Raghuvanshi Investment, and the RK Family Trust owns another 48% of it. This web of cross-holdings ultimately ensures that Aureus Investment—the primary promoter entity of Sona Comstar—remains under the control of family members connected to the trust.

According to Aureus Investment, the key beneficial proprietors of both the businesses and the RK Family Trust are Priya Sachdev Kapur, Azarias Kapur, Samaira Kapur, and Kiaan Raj Kapur. This directly means that Rani Kapur is not listed as a beneficiary owner of the trust.

After the company’s earnings were released on 4th August, Vivek Vikram Singh, the MD and Group CEO of Sona Comstar, addressed the matter. He noted that the firm had not initially been informed of who would succeed Sunjay Kapur as the beneficiary owner of the RK Family Trust. However, Singh confirmed that Aureus Investment was notified within two days of his remarks.

Providing a legal perspective, practising company secretary Gaurav Pingle explained that Indian corporate law mandates the declaration of changes in significant beneficial ownership whenever an entity holds more than 10% of a company. Singh, meanwhile, sought to ease public speculation, insisting that the media had amplified the story beyond its actual scale, and maintained that the internal family dispute was being overstated.