In June 2025, ultra-wealthy automotive business heir, Sunjay Kapur, passed away suddenly during a polo match.

At age 53, Kapur was competing at the prestigious Guards Polo Club in Surrey, UK when he fell from his horse during a match. Later, it was speculated that he may have swallowed a bee, the effects of which caused him to suffer heart failure.

Kapur had inherited Sona Comstar, one of India’s top automakers, from his father. The BBC reports the company is worth approximately $3.6 billion, or just over €3 billion.

Kapur’s death was reported around the world as his family attempted to grapple with their grief and the financial repercussions of his passing.

Now, his legacy is in crisis as his family battles over an unclear estate and succession plan. Read why, and what business owners can learn from the situation.

Kapur’s widow has been appointed non-executive director of Sona Comstar

After his sudden death, Kapur’s widow, Priya, was appointed by the board of directors as non-executive director of Sona Comstar. This came as a quick decision, just 11 days after her husband’s death.

While this may sound unusual, with so much at stake financially when the head of a large business passes away, boards often make swift decisions to avoid uncertainty.

Kapur’s mother has made serious allegations regarding her son’s death

At the centre of the controversy surrounding Kapur’s death is his mother, Rani. As the BBC reports, Rani claims she was “coerced into signing key documents while under mental and emotional stress from her son’s death”.

Later, the Hindustan Times reported that Kapur’s sister has demanded to “see the documents my mother signed”, but claims these are now “under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA)”.

The BBC also reported that Rani believes her son’s death was “suspicious”, although the coroner ruled that he died from natural causes.

Finally, regarding the appointment of Priya as non-executive director, Rani alleges that “certain people” have used Kapur’s death as an opportunity to “wrest control and usurp the family’s legacy”.

His personal inheritance wishes are being disputed by several members of his family

Rani has also claimed that Kapur left his entire personal estate to her in his 2015 will, plus a large stake in his business.

His personal estate is worth around 30,000 Indian crore, the equivalent of nearly €344 million.

Priya, Kapur’s widow, hotly contests Rani’s claim to the estate. The Times of India says that Priya alleges the existence of a will created in March 2025 that leaves the entire estate to her – although Kapur’s children from a previous marriage have said she “fabricated” this will.

3 important takeaways for business owners

As the situation unfolds, it is likely that the Kapur family will sink huge amounts of time and money into lengthy legal proceedings. Not to mention, they may also endure several years of emotional distress.

Let’s look at what business owners can learn from this unfortunate turn of events.

1. Expect the unexpected

As a healthy 53-year-old, nobody could have expected Kapur to pass away when he did. It must have come as a huge shock to those closest to him.

While it’s no use spending each day worrying about whether it will be your last, Kapur’s death is a reminder that the unexpected can happen to anyone. Business owners with significant control over day-to-day operations and a large financial stake should create a clear succession plan.

Remember, illness could have a grave impact on your business too. It is wise to plan for multiple scenarios; decide in advance who would take over and develop a strategy to weather any financial impact on the business.

Read more: Passing your business to the next generation? 5 tips for preparing your younger replacement

2. Communicate your business’s legacy plan to your family

Whether your family is currently directly involved with your business or not, you need to have honest conversations with them about your legacy plans.

Your choices may not line up with their expectations, which can make discussions difficult. However, leaving your beneficiaries in the dark could spark conflict after your death and create emotional and financial hardship for everyone.

You may want to discuss:

• Who you wish to take over the running of your company
• Whether you are comfortable with your business being sold in the event of your death
• Any key financial elements your family should be aware of, such as company debt

3. Don’t forget about your personal estate plan

While Kapur’s business assets are the subject of a difficult debate after his death, so too is his personal estate.

Many business owners avoid making and updating a will, as they are largely focused on business succession. But failing to create a will could leave your family in a difficult situation after you pass away and any legal proceedings in the event of a dispute can cost thousands.

So, it may be worth:

• Making a will if you don’t have one
• Updating an existing will after key life events, such as a marriage, the birth of a child or grandchild, or the sale or purchase of a property
• Talking to your family openly about the decisions you have made.

While we all hope to have more time with our loved ones, it’s often best to be pragmatic where your estate is concerned.

Read more: 2 key reasons for business owners to spend more time on personal estate planning

Get in touch for personalised financial planning

If this article has made you question whether your own estate plan would stand up to an unexpected event, get in touch for help securing your legacy.

Email clients@iqf.ie, or call 353 71 915 5560.

Please note

This article is for information only. It does not constitute advice.

It describes financial planning services that iQ Financial can offer to you. Financial planning services are not regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.