The sudden death of Indian billionaire Sunjay Kapur, a close friend of Prince William, has not only shocked the polo world but also ignited a fierce battle over a multi-billion-pound inheritance.
The 53-year-old businessman collapsed during a polo match at the prestigious Guards Polo Club in Windsor, setting off a bitter feud that has captured headlines across continents.
How Did It Happen? A Fatal Incident on the Polo Field
Sunjay Kapur was playing in the semi-final of the Cartier Queen’s Cup with his team, Aureus, on June 12 when tragedy struck.
Witnesses say he swallowed a bee during the game, which led to him being stung inside his mouth.
This painful incident reportedly caused anaphylactic shock or triggered a fatal heart attack, leaving his teammates horrified as he collapsed right there on Smith’s Lawn.
Legacy and Wealth: The Sona Comstar Empire at Stake
Kapur was the heir to Sona Comstar, a global car parts giant valued at around £2.7 billion and founded by his father.
Following his death, a fierce dispute erupted over control of the company.
The battle pits his mother, Rani Kapur, against the firm’s board of directors.
A Mother’s Allegations of Suspicious Circumstances
Rani Kapur has publicly accused the company’s leadership of exploiting the family’s grief.
In a letter sent on July 24, she described her son’s death as occurring under “suspicious and unexplained circumstances” and claimed she was coerced into signing documents while emotionally vulnerable.
She also says she has been blocked from accessing her bank accounts and denied authority over family matters.
Disputes Over Shareholding and Control
Mrs. Kapur insists that after her husband’s death in 2015, she became the sole beneficiary of his estate and the majority shareholder of the Sona Group.
However, the company rejects this, stating she hasn’t been a shareholder for six years and is not the majority stakeholder.
This disagreement deepens the complexity of the inheritance battle.
Family Divisions and Legal Moves
Adding to the drama, Sunjay Kapur’s widow, Priya Sachdeva, appears to be backing Sona Comstar.
Despite objections from Mrs. Kapur, Priya was appointed as a non-executive director at the company’s annual meeting on July 25.
The coroner’s report later confirmed Kapur’s death was from natural causes—ventricular hypertrophy and ischemic heart disease—and closed the investigation. Mrs. Kapur’s requests for further probes were declined.
Support and Statements from Kapur’s Siblings
Sunjay’s sister, Mandhire Kapur, has also taken a public stance amid the turmoil.
Through an Instagram post, she expressed her commitment to “protect what you would have wanted, and what Dad dreamed,” showing solidarity with her mother’s claims.
Legal Voices Speak of a Conspiracy
Represented by senior advocate Vaibhav Gaggar, Mrs. Kapur believes there’s a conspiracy to wrest control of the company from the family.
Gaggar told The Telegraph that the situation “reinforces what she’s been saying—that her entire legacy is being usurped and no one is willing to investigate the cause of death.”
He added that the family is convinced the circumstances of Sunjay Kapur’s passing are deeply intertwined with the ongoing struggle for control.
Polo and Royal Connections
Sunjay Kapur’s death resonated widely, not least because of his ties to the British royal family and the polo club.
Guards Polo Club, with a long-standing association with the Royals, was led for decades by Prince Philip and now by King Charles.
The club expressed shock and sent condolences to Kapur’s widow, children, family, and teammates.
What’s Next in This High-Profile Family Feud?
With the inheritance dispute heating up and allegations flying, the Kapur family saga is far from over.
The future of Sona Comstar remains uncertain, and questions linger about the tragic circumstances surrounding Sunjay Kapur’s death.
