The sudden death of industrialist Sunjay Kapur during a polo match in London on June 12 sent shockwaves through India’s corporate circles. He passed away due to heart attack. But beyond the grief, it has opened the gates to what could become one of the most high-stakes and emotionally charged inheritance disputes the country has seen in years.With an estimated net worth of ₹30,000 crore, Sunjay Kapur wasn’t just a prominent figure in business—he was the force behind Sona Comstar, one of the world’s top auto component manufacturers. But now, in the wake of his passing, the question echoing in legal chambers and boardrooms is: who inherits what?At the center of the brewing legal storm is the status of Safira, daughter of Sunjay’s third wife, Priya Sachdev Kapur, from her earlier marriage to businessman Vikram Chatwal. The crux of the matter lies in whether Safira, a stepchild, was legally adopted by Sunjay.Under Indian inheritance law, stepchildren aren’t automatically entitled to a share in an estate unless a formal adoption has taken place. Reports suggest Sunjay did adopt Safira, and if that’s confirmed by legal documentation, she would stand to inherit as one of his children.However, this introduces a complicated twist: What if Safira was legally adopted by Sunjay, she may be disqualified from claiming any share in the inheritance of her biological father, Vikram Chatwal. And if Sunjay left no will specifying her share, her rights—though valid—could still be mired in legal ambiguities.Adding fuel to speculation, both Priya and Safira have reportedly changed their surnames—Priya now goes by Priya Sunjay Kapur, and Safira has dropped “Chatwal” in favor of “Safira Kapur.” This move is widely viewed not as cosmetic, but strategic—perhaps aimed at strengthening their legal and symbolic claims within the family legacy.Meanwhile, Sunjay’s two children from his previous marriage to actress Karisma Kapoor—Samaira and Kiaan—have already received substantial financial provisions. Media reports indicate they were given bonds worth ₹14 crore and are assured monthly incomes of ₹10 lakh each, suggesting Sunjay took steps to secure their financial future. Additionally, Karisma Kapoor was granted ownership of a family property once belonging to Sunjay’s father, Dr. Surinder Kapur. It was reported that Karisma also wants a share from this Rs 30,000 crore estate. But a source close to Karisma denied it and said, “Karisma Kapoor is not involved in any inheritance or property-related matters. She has no claim, nor is she seeking any share in the estate. Her only concern is the well-being and future of her children.”As Sunjay’s legally wedded wife at the time of his death, Priya Sachdev Kapur stands to inherit a significant portion of his estate by default—particularly if no will was left behind to outline alternate distributions.However, the most undisputed heir remains Sunjay and Priya’s 6-year-old son, Azarius. As his biological child, Azarius has full legal rights to his father’s estate, including potential claims to Sona Comstar and the RK Family Trust—where Sunjay was reportedly the sole beneficiary. If Safira’s adoption is formally confirmed, she too could share in this inheritance along with Azarius.
