In a decisive move to quell speculation and reinforce its governance stance, Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd (commonly known as Sona Comstar) has issued a detailed clarification regarding the role of Rani Kapur, widow of founder Surinder Kapur and mother of late Chairman Sunjay Kapur. The company has categorically stated that Rani Kapur has had no direct or indirect involvement in the company since at least 2019.
Clarification Issued Amid AGM Controversy
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- On July 25, 2025, Sona Comstar held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) as scheduled, despite a last-minute request from Rani Kapur to postpone the meeting.
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- Her request, citing emotional distress following her son’s death in June, was reviewed by the company’s
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legal counsel.
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- The Board concluded that since Rani Kapur is not a shareholder, the AGM could not be deferred on her request.
No Shareholding or Executive Role Since 2019
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- The company reiterated that Rani Kapur is neither a shareholder, director, nor officer of Sona Comstar.
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- Records show that in May 2019, Sunjay Kapur was declared the sole beneficial owner of the RK Family Trust, which held a significant stake in the promoter entity, Aureus Investments Pvt Ltd.
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- Rani Kapur’s name does not appear in any shareholder or governance capacity since that time.
Board Appointments and Governance Protocols
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- Following Sunjay Kapur’s passing on June 12, 2025, the Board unanimously appointed Jeffrey Mark Overly as Chairman on June 23.
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- Priya Sachdev Kapur, Sunjay’s wife, was appointed as a Non-Executive Director based on a nomination from Aureus Investments.
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- Both appointments were reviewed by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee and ratified by shareholders with overwhelming majorities—98.9% and 99.4% respectively.
Company’s Stand on Allegations and Legacy Claims
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- In her letter dated July 24, Rani Kapur alleged coercion and misuse of documents, claiming she was the sole beneficiary of her late husband’s estate and thus the rightful representative of the Kapur family’s interests.
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- Sona Comstar responded that no documents had been signed or obtained from her following Sunjay Kapur’s death.
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- The company emphasized that it is a publicly listed entity with 71.98% public shareholding and only 28.02% held by its promoter.
Rebuttal of Family-Owned Business Narrative
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- Sona Comstar firmly rejected the notion that it is a family-run business.
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- The Board comprises nine members, including six independent directors and two executive directors with no ties to the Kapur family.
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- The promoter entity holds no executive roles and exercises no strategic control over daily operations.
Impact on Shareholder Confidence and Market Sentiment
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- The company expressed concern over the spread of misinformation and its potential to erode shareholder value.
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- With over 400,000 public shareholders, Sona Comstar urged stakeholders to rely on verified disclosures and regulatory filings rather than media narratives.
Conclusion:
Sona Comstar’s latest statement marks a clear boundary between its current governance structure and legacy affiliations. By reinforcing its commitment to transparency and legal compliance, the company aims to protect shareholder interests and maintain its reputation as a professionally managed, publicly held enterprise.
Sources: Business Today, The Hindu BusinessLine, News18, Financial Express, Moneycontrol, Economic Times Auto, Business Upturn
