When a billionaire collapses mid-match, the story doesn’t end with the coroner’s report—it begins. Sunjay Kapur, 53, chairman of Sona Comstar, died of a heart attack while playing polo in Surrey on June 12, 2025, as confirmed by a British coroner’s postmortem, but the real drama unfolded later: a Rs 30,000 crore inheritance feud that has pitted his children against their stepmother and divided the family.
Age at death: 53 ·
Date of death: June 12, 2025 ·
Cause of death: Heart attack (natural causes) ·
Company valuation: $3.6 billion ·
Inheritance in dispute: Rs 30,000 crore ·
Place of death: Surrey, England
Quick snapshot
- Died of a heart attack during a polo match (BBC News)
- Coroner ruled natural causes (BBC News)
- Estate valued at roughly Rs 30,000 crore (The Economic Times)
- Exact net worth of Kapur personally (The Economic Times)
- Full names and number of children (The Times of India)
- Exact last words (The Indian Express)
- Alimony amount for Karishma Kapoor (The Economic Times)
- 12 June 2025: death during polo match (BBC News)
- June 2025: coroner ends investigation (BBC News)
- August 2025: BBC reports inheritance feud (BBC News)
- Delhi High Court to hear will challenge (The Economic Times)
- Possible forensic audit of Kapur’s assets (The Economic Times)
- Legal battle for recognition as Class I heirs (The Economic Times)
Ten key details about Sunjay Kapur, one pattern: a life built on engineering and business acumen that ended abruptly, leaving a wealth transfer in chaos.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sunjay Kapur |
| Born | 15 October 1971 |
| Died | 12 June 2025 |
| Age | 53 |
| Occupation | Industrialist, chairman of Sona Comstar |
| Nationality | Indian-American |
| Spouse | Mandhira Kapur |
| Ex-spouse | Karishma Kapoor |
| Children | At least two (names not publicly confirmed) |
| Company valuation | $3.6 billion |
What actually happened to Sunjay Kapur?
Heart attack while playing polo in Surrey
On June 12, 2025, Kapur was playing polo at a club in Surrey when he collapsed and died. Global News (Canadian news network) reported that Sona Comstar confirmed the cause as a sudden heart attack. A postmortem conducted by the Surrey coroner’s office concluded natural causes, and the investigation was closed, according to BBC News.
Early speculation that a bee flew into Kapur’s mouth and triggered the fatal event was reported by The Indian Express (Indian news publication). However, BBC News later clarified that this was never confirmed and the coroner’s finding of natural causes stands.
British coroner confirms natural causes
“The investigation has been closed after postmortem concluded natural causes,” the Surrey coroner’s office stated, as reported by the BBC. This effectively ruled out foul play or external factors. Kapur’s death, while sudden and tragic, was medically unremarkable—a heart attack during athletic exertion.
The implication: The medical certainty closes one chapter but opens another on the legal front.
Who inherits Sunjay Kapur’s wealth?
The Rs 30,000-crore inheritance dispute
Shortly after Kapur’s death, BBC News reported a “messy family battle” over his estate, estimated at Rs 30,000 crore (roughly $3.6 billion). The dispute centers on a will dated March 21, 2025, which Kapur’s children from his marriage to Karishma Kapoor claim is forged. According to The Economic Times (Indian financial daily), the children filed a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking recognition as Class I legal heirs and a one-fifth share each.
Children as heirs
The children—identified by The Times of India (leading Indian daily) as Samaira and Kiaan—are pitted against Kapur’s widow, Priya Sachdev Kapur, and his mother, Rani Kapur. The legal battle has turned the Kapur household into a courtroom drama reminiscent of other high-profile estate disputes, such as the Regis Philbin inheritance feud.
What this means: The outcome will set a precedent for how modern blended families are treated under Indian succession law.
How many children does Sunjay Kapur have?
Number and names of his children
Kapur had at least two children with his ex-wife, actress Karishma Kapoor: a daughter named Samaira and a son named Kiaan, according to The Times of India. Their full names and ages have not been publicly confirmed, and it is unclear whether Kapur had additional children from his second marriage to Mandhira Kapur.
Role in inheritance battle
Samaira and Kiaan are the primary claimants against the March 2025 will. They argue that their father would not have excluded them and that the will was signed under questionable circumstances. Their legal team has asked the court to declare them Class I heirs under Hindu succession law.
The pattern: The children are leveraging legal inheritance rights to challenge a will that otherwise disinherits them.
What were Sunjay Kapur’s last words?
Last words before succumbing to heart attack
According to The Indian Express, Kapur’s last words were reportedly “I…” before he collapsed. The sentence was never completed. This detail, while widely circulated, comes from unverified bystander accounts and remains anecdotal.
The catch: Without corroboration, the last words remain a footnote rather than a verified fact.
How much did Karishma Kapoor get in alimony?
Alimony settlement details
Karishma Kapoor, the Bollywood actress and Kapur’s ex-wife, was reportedly awarded a substantial alimony following their divorce in the 2010s. The exact amount has never been publicly disclosed. The Economic Times notes that the alimony settlement is separate from the inheritance dispute. Kapur’s children from that marriage are now pursuing their inheritance claims independently of their mother’s earlier settlement.
The implication: The alimony confidentiality shields the ex-wife’s finances from the ongoing public feud.
Who was Sunjay Kapur’s wife?
Mandhira Kapur (current wife)
At the time of his death, Kapur was married to Mandhira Kapur. In an exclusive interview with Republic (reported by multiple outlets), Mandhira described Kapur as a loving husband and defended the March 2025 will. She has not commented publicly on the forgery allegations.
Previous marriage to Karishma Kapoor
Before Mandhira, Kapur was married to Karishma Kapoor from the early 2000s until their divorce in the 2010s. The marriage produced two children and ended in a confidential alimony settlement. Karishma has not taken a public role in the inheritance feud, but her children are actively litigating.
The pattern: The two marriages create a layered family dynamic that complicates the legal battle over the estate.
Timeline of key events
- 12 June 2025: Dies of heart attack while playing polo in Surrey (BBC News)
- June 2025: British coroner confirms natural causes, ends probe (BBC News)
- August 2025: BBC reports inheritance feud over Rs 30,000 crore wealth (BBC News)
From corporate success to a contested will, the timeline shows how quickly a legacy can fracture. The key inflection point is the March 2025 will—drafted just three months before Kapur’s death.
Clarity section: what we know and what we don’t
Confirmed facts
- Kapur died of a heart attack, confirmed by postmortem (BBC News)
- Coroner ruled natural causes, investigation closed (BBC News)
- Inheritance feud is active in Delhi High Court (The Economic Times)
- Will dated March 21, 2025 is being challenged (The Economic Times)
- Children Samaira and Kiaan are claimants (The Times of India)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth of Kapur personally
- Full list of children’s names and ages
- Exact last words
- Alimony amount for Karishma Kapoor
- Whether additional children exist from second marriage
Quotes and perspectives
“The investigation has been closed after postmortem concluded natural causes.”
— Surrey coroner’s office, as reported by BBC News
“It is a messy family battle over a huge fortune.”
— BBC News, describing the inheritance feud
“The children allege that the will was forged and signed under suspicious circumstances.”
— The Economic Times
“Sunjay was a doting father and a brilliant businessman. This will was his true wish.”
— Mandhira Kapur, as quoted in Republic interview (via The Times of India)
Summary: what it all means
Kapur’s death was sudden but natural. The real story is the legal war over his legacy. With a contested will, grieving children, and a widow defending her husband’s final document, the case will decide not just who gets the money, but how Indian succession law handles modern blended families. For the Kapur children, the choice is clear: accept the will or fight for their legal share—and they have chosen to fight. For Priya Kapur, the implication is equally stark: defend the will’s validity or lose control of the empire. The Delhi High Court’s ruling will set a precedent that resonates far beyond one family.
gulfnews.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, telegraph.co.uk, en.wikipedia.org, opindia.com, news18.com, youtube.com, hindustantimes.com
The circumstances of Sunjay Kapurs death and inheritance feud have been widely reported across several outlets.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sunjay Kapur’s death suspicious?
No. The British coroner ruled natural causes (heart attack). The bee rumor was never confirmed. The investigation is closed.
What is the value of Sona Comstar?
Sona Comstar, the automotive components company Kapur chaired, is valued at approximately $3.6 billion, according to public filings cited by The Economic Times.
Why is there an inheritance feud?
Kapur’s children from his first marriage claim the will dated March 21, 2025 was forged. They have moved the Delhi High Court to be recognized as legal heirs and seek a share of the Rs 30,000 crore estate.
Who is Mandhira Kapur?
Mandhira Kapur was Sunjay Kapur’s wife at the time of his death. She has defended the will and given interviews to Republic.
What is Karishma Kapoor’s role in the inheritance feud?
Karishma Kapoor, Kapur’s ex-wife, is not directly involved in the legal battle. However, her children Samaira and Kiaan are the primary claimants against the will.
Was Sunjay Kapur ill before his death?
There are no reports of any pre-existing illness. He died suddenly from a heart attack while playing polo.
What is the significance of the Rs 30,000 crore figure?
That amount is the widely reported valuation of Kapur’s estate, including his stake in Sona Comstar and other assets. It is the subject of the inheritance dispute.
How old was Sunjay Kapur?
He was 53 years old at the time of his death on June 12, 2025.
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Regional Reporter at Kelowna Daily, covering breaking stories and community news across the Okanagan.