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Priya Sachdev Kapur, a former model, entrepreneur, and socialite, has now become the central figure in a high-profile legal and family battle following the sudden death of her husband, billionaire industrialist Sunjay Kapur.
Who is Priya Sachdev Kapur?
Priya is best known for her work in fashion and entertainment in the early 2000s. She made headlines for her relationship with Sunjay Kapur, whom she married in 2017. Before marrying Sunjay, Priya was briefly married to hotelier Vikram Chatwal.
Beyond her glamorous past, Priya is also a successful businesswoman. Over the years, she transitioned into corporate leadership and had been involved in family business matters alongside Sunjay.
She is the mother of a young son, Azarias, with Sunjay. She was his third wife after his earlier marriages to fashion designer Nandita Mahtani and Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor, with whom he had two children—Samaira and Kiaan.
What Happened After Sunjay Kapur’s Death?
Sunjay Kapur, Chairman of Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd (Sona Comstar), died suddenly of a cardiac arrest while playing a polo match in Windsor, UK, on June 12. Reports suggested a bee entered his mouth during the game, possibly triggering the fatal incident. Forbes estimated his net worth at over Rs. 10,000 crore at the time of his death.
In the weeks that followed, a bitter succession battle erupted within the Kapur family.
Mother vs. Wife: Succession Feud Begins
Sunjay’s mother, Rani Kapur, raised objections against the July 25 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Sona Comstar. She alleged she was emotionally manipulated into signing documents after her son’s death and claimed those documents had never been shared with her.
In a letter to the board dated July 24, Rani accused unnamed individuals of using the mourning period to “usurp the family legacy.” Though she didn’t name Priya directly, her comments pointed at the recent board developments.
Priya Sachdev Kapur Appointed Director
Despite Rani Kapur’s objections, Priya was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Sona Comstar during the AGM. The company defended its decision, stating that Rani Kapur had not held shares since 2019.
According to filings, the company received a 2019 declaration naming Sunjay Kapur as the sole beneficial owner of the RK Family Trust, a key stakeholder in Aureus Investments Pvt Ltd (AIPL), which owns 28.02% of Sona Comstar. The remaining 71.98% is held by public investors.
The company clarified it did not receive or pressure Rani to sign any documents after Sunjay’s death.
Rani Kapur’s Claims of Suspicious Death
Rani Kapur has also raised doubts over the nature of her son’s passing, calling the incident “highly suspicious and unexplained.” She stated she was made to sign unknown documents in a fragile emotional state and now seeks answers about both the circumstances surrounding his death and the corporate decisions that followed.
Who Controls the Sona Group Now?
While Rani Kapur cited a 2015 will making her the sole beneficiary of her late husband Surinder Kapur’s estate, Sona Comstar maintains that Sunjay was the ultimate owner of the family trust at the time of his death. This trust’s decisions—including nominating Priya to the board—remain valid in the company’s view.
With boardroom reshuffling already underway, including the appointment of Jeffrey Mark Overly as the new chairman on June 23, Sona Comstar appears to be moving forward, even as legal and personal tensions simmer in the background.
