Billion-Dollar Battle: Inside the Shocking Succession Drama After Sanjay Kapoor’s Death

A high-stakes inheritance war has gripped the legacy of late industrialist Sanjay Kapoor, whose sudden death during a polo match in London left behind not only unanswered questions but also a fractured family fighting for control over one of India’s biggest corporate fortunes.

A Tragic and Mysterious Demise

Sanjay Kapoor, 53, the driving force behind auto components giant Sona Comstar, died unexpectedly in England, reportedly after a freak incident—swallowing a bee during a game led to a sting and cardiac arrest. The strangeness of his passing has fueled rumors and suspicions, especially within his family. His mother, Reena Kapoor, has openly questioned both the circumstances of his death and the hasty moves to take over his business holdings.

A Fortune Up for Grabs—and a Family Divided

The estate in question? Estimates put the family’s business wealth at a staggering $300 billion. Now, the succession drama includes:

Reena (Rani) Kapoor: Sanjay’s mother, demanding answers and control over the family legacy.
Priya Sajdev Kapoor: Sanjay’s third wife, who quietly changed her name on social media to Priya Sanjay Kapoor and wasted no time in moving to secure her position. She’s now a company director.
Two Ex-Wives: His first ex-wife, Nandita Mahtani, is quietly in the background, while his more famous second ex-wife, actress Karishma Kapoor (of the Kapoor Bollywood dynasty), has stepped forward to demand a share for her two children.
The Children: Two daughters and a son, all minors, plus a stepdaughter.
A Boardroom Blitz: Priya’s appointment as director and the confirmation of a new chairman occurred just days after Sanjay’s passing—something Reena Kapoor publicly objected to, describing it as disrespectful and “coercive” during the family’s mourning.

The Questions Piling Up

With the family split and interests high, multiple issues are now under scrutiny:

Was There a Will? As of now, there’s no confirmation whether Sanjay Kapoor left a will. If not, Indian inheritance law would grant his estate to his Class I legal heirs—his wife, mother, and children.
Trusts and Bonds: Karishma Kapoor reportedly received a sizable alimony and a $140 million bond in trust for her children when she divorced Sanjay in 2016, a fund reportedly generating $1 million in monthly interest.
Business Maneuvering: Besides the personal drama, the big question is who controls Orius Investments Pvt Ltd, which owns 28% of Sona Comstar. Both Reena and the company claim beneficial ownership—a legal battle likely to play out for months.

Boardroom vs. Courtroom Drama

Despite Reena’s attempts to delay the annual general meeting and push for answers about her son’s death, shareholders approved Priya’s appointment. Insiders and business journalists alike suspect something unusual about the speed and secrecy of these decisions—especially when legal questions and autopsy findings remain unresolved.

Is This More Than a Business Battle?

For now, every action—from name changes to company statements—fuels media speculation, with some likening the family feud to a Bollywood soap opera or even a murder mystery. With billions at stake, business instincts blend with personal vendettas, suspicions, and a hunger for answers.

What’s Next?

The answer to who inherits Sanjay Kapoor’s fortune—and the truth behind his sudden demise—may ultimately be decided in court, or could erupt into public scandal before then. For now, the world watches as power, grief, and suspicion collide in a saga worthy of the big screen.

The only certainty: this real-life drama is far from its final act.