Delhi High Court Initiates Legal Proceedings in Sona Comstar Family Trust Battle
The Delhi High Court has taken a significant step in the ongoing Kapur family legal saga by issuing summons to multiple respondents, including Priya Kapur, the widow of late industrialist Sunjay Kapur. This action comes in response to a petition filed by family matriarch Rani Kapur, who is seeking the cancellation of the Rani Kapur Family Trust, a crucial entity holding substantial stakes in auto components manufacturer Sona Comstar.
Court Proceedings and Judicial Directions
Justice Mini Pushkarna, presiding over a single-judge bench, heard the matter on Thursday and made several important rulings. While the court declined to grant any interim relief or orders that could disrupt the trust's operations, it directed that the petition be formally registered as a civil suit. All parties involved have been instructed to file their replies, with the case scheduled for further hearing in April.
The summons have been issued not only to Priya Kapur but also to 23 other defendants named in Rani Kapur's plea. Notable among these respondents are Samaira Kapur and Kiaan Kapur, the grandchildren of Rani Kapur and children of Sunjay Kapur from his previous marriage to actress Karisma Kapoor.
Background of the Family Dispute
This legal development represents the latest chapter in the protracted Kapur family conflict, which centers on control and succession within the Sona Group following the untimely death of Sunjay Kapur on June 12, 2025. At the time of his passing, Sunjay Kapur served as chairman of Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd, commonly known as Sona Comstar.
In her petition, the 80-year-old Rani Kapur has made serious allegations regarding the creation and operation of the family trust. She claims the trust was fraudulently established to deprive her of her assets and influence over the Sona Group. Rani Kapur has specifically identified Priya Kapur as the "chief mastermind" behind this alleged scheme, accusing her of rapidly assuming control of key group companies after Sunjay Kapur's death.
Allegations of Coercion and Asset Misappropriation
The octogenarian matriarch has presented detailed claims about how her assets were transferred into the trust. According to her petition, after suffering a stroke in 2017, she was coerced into signing various documents, including blank papers, under the guise of routine administrative work. These documents were subsequently misused to transfer her assets into the trust without her informed consent, she alleges.
The Rani Kapur Family Trust holds significant financial importance in this dispute. It owns 65% of Aureus Investment Pvt. Ltd., which in turn controls approximately 28% of the promoter stake in Sona Comstar. In 2019, the trust had formally notified the company that Sunjay Kapur was its sole beneficiary.
Broader Succession Battle and Historical Context
This trust dispute forms part of a larger succession battle over Sunjay Kapur's estimated ₹30,000-crore estate. In September of last year, his children from his previous marriage, Samaira and Kiaan, approached the Delhi High Court challenging a will that allegedly leaves the entire estate to Priya Kapur. They have sought one-fifth shares each in their father's personal assets, claiming they were repeatedly denied access to the will's copy.
Rani Kapur has asserted her position as the sole heir of her late husband, Dr. Surinder Kapur, founder of the Sona Group, under a will that was probated by the Bombay High Court in 2016. She alleges that despite being named as both settlor and trustee, the family trust designates Sunjay Kapur, Priya Kapur, and their children as beneficiaries, thereby excluding her and her daughters' branch of the family—a arrangement she claims contradicts her late husband's wishes.
Legal Remedies Sought
In her comprehensive plea, Rani Kapur has requested multiple legal remedies:
- Cancellation of the Rani Kapur Family Trust
- Restoration of all assets to their pre-2017 position
- A complete accounting of trust transactions
- Interim directions to freeze the trust's operations
- Maintenance of status quo within the Sona Group
This case adds to the growing list of high-profile family disputes that have shaken India's business landscape, joining conflicts at companies like Sun TV and Yes Bank in capturing national attention.
