Supreme Court Refers Kapur Estate Dispute To Mediation Under Ex-CJI Chandrachud
Supreme Court appointed ex-CJI DY Chandrachud to mediate the Rs 30,000-crore Kapur estate dispute.
The Supreme Court of India has appointed former Chief Justice of India D. Y. Chandrachud as mediator in the high-profile Rs 30,000-crore inheritance dispute involving the family of late industrialist Sunjay Kapur. The move is aimed at facilitating a negotiated settlement in one of the country’s most closely watched family estate battles, which centres on the ownership and control of assets linked to the Kapur family and the broader Sona Group business empire.
A bench comprising Justices J. B. Pardiwala and Vijay Bishnoi referred the matter to mediation, observing that prolonged legal proceedings would likely deepen divisions within the family. The court noted the importance of resolving the dispute amicably, particularly considering the involvement of 80-year-old Rani Kapur, who has challenged the legality and structure of the “Rani Kapur Family Trust.”
Rani Kapur has alleged that the trust was created fraudulently in a bid to deprive her of authority over crucial family holdings and related business interests. The dispute concerns control over significant financial and corporate assets connected to the Sona Group, a major player in India’s automotive and manufacturing sectors. The allegations have intensified scrutiny over succession planning and governance within large family-run business conglomerates in India.
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The mediation process will involve several members of the Kapur family, including Priya Sachdev Kapur, widow of the late businessman. The apex court directed all parties to fully cooperate with the mediation proceedings in an effort to reach a mutually acceptable resolution. The Supreme Court is expected to review the progress of the mediation during the next hearing scheduled for August 2026.
The legal dispute has already prompted the Delhi High Court to freeze portions of the contested assets, limiting access to sections of the estate while court proceedings continue. Legal experts say the case could have broader implications for corporate succession disputes involving family-owned enterprises, particularly where trusts and inheritance structures are contested after the death of key promoters.
Sunjay Kapur, who served as chairman of Sona Comstar, died in the United Kingdom in June 2025 after reportedly suffering a cardiac arrest during a polo match. Widely recognised in India’s automotive industry, he played a prominent role in advancing the country’s electric mobility sector and held leadership positions in major industry associations, including the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India and the Confederation of Indian Industry.
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