Priya Kapur Takes Center Stage at Sona Comstar Amid Escalating Family Dispute
Priya Sachdev Kapur has emerged into the public eye at Sona Comstar, India's eighth-largest auto component manufacturer, delivering a keynote address at an industry event in New Delhi. This marks her first major public appearance since the sudden passing of her husband, Sunjay Kapur, in June last year, and coincides with an intense legal battle over control of the company's promoter entity.
Public Address Highlights Sunjay Kapur's Legacy and Strategic Vision
At the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (Acma) event, Priya Kapur detailed how her late husband spearheaded a comprehensive turnaround of Sona Comstar. She emphasized that under his leadership, the company underwent disciplined restructuring, deep technology integration, and a refocused global strategy, heavily leveraging opportunities from the 'Make in India' initiative.
"This transformation was not accidental. It resulted from three bold strategic decisions that drove over 85% of our growth," she stated, pointing to investments in electric vehicles, exports, and advanced technology as key pillars of the revival.
Deepening Involvement Amid Legal Turmoil
Priya Kapur's increased engagement with Sona Comstar includes visits to manufacturing and R&D facilities in Chennai, participation in corporate social responsibility meetings, and her appointment to the company's board in June, approved by shareholders in July. She represents Aureus Investment Private Ltd, the promoter entity that holds a 28% stake in the Gurugram-based firm.
However, this involvement unfolds against a backdrop of familial conflict. Her mother-in-law, Rani Kapur, has challenged Priya's control over Aureus in the Delhi High Court, alleging fraudulent transfer of shares in 2017. Additionally, actress Karisma Kapoor, Sunjay Kapur's former partner, has contested the validity of his will, which bequeaths his entire estate, valued at approximately ₹30,000 crore, to Priya.
Legal Proceedings and Corporate Stability
The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to Rani Kapur on Priya's application to dismiss the petition, while Priya has filed for dismissal of the case. Legal experts, such as Rishabh Gandhi of Rishabh Gandhi and Advocates, note that unless court orders directly impact shareholding or management control, Sona Comstar's daily operations remain unaffected, providing a buffer amid the disputes.
This situation underscores broader issues in family-owned businesses, highlighting the need for robust governance structures to prevent such conflicts from disrupting corporate functions.
