53-Year-Old Businessman Reportedly Dies of Heart Attack After a Bee Sting During a Polo Match

Hours before his sudden death, the Indian businessman shared a solemn message mourning the victims of the Air India crash — a poignant final post that now reads like a farewell.

Sunjay J. Kapur, Chairman and Non-Executive Director of Sona Comstar, has died at the age of 53 after reportedly suffering a heart attack during a polo match in England.

The incident occurred on Thursday, June 12, 2025, as confirmed in an official statement released by Sona Comstar on LinkedIn. The company described his passing as sudden and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of its long-serving leader.

A statement from Sona Comstar highlighted Kapur's transformative role in the organization, noting his impact in developing the firm into a global mobility technology company.

The tribute recognized his contributions not only to business but also to mentoring and advocacy within India's manufacturing and mobility sectors. Further details about memorial arrangements are expected to follow.

Additional information surfaced through an Instagram Story by Kangana Ranaut, Indian Parliament member and actress, who stated that Kapur was on the polo field when a bee entered his mouth and stung him.

According to Ranaut, the sting caused a blockage in his windpipe, leading to breathing difficulties and a cardiac arrest shortly after. She described the event as tragic and cautioned her followers to stay vigilant amid an already unpredictable year.

Fortune India also published an in-depth profile detailing Kapur's career and legacy. He was linked to the historical Kapur Di Hatti jewelry business but moved away from retail to lead Sona Comstar, a company now valued at ₹31,764 crore ($3.83 billion) approximately.

Kapur assumed leadership after the death of his father, Surinder Kapur, in 2015 and was instrumental in steering the company's focus toward electric vehicle technologies. He oversaw the company's transition into a major global supplier, with less than ten percent of revenue coming from non-EV products in FY24.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kapur and CEO Vivek Vikram Singh redirected efforts towards R&D, spending ₹91.5 crore ($11 million) approximately in FY21 alone — about six percent of that year's revenue. These efforts laid the foundation for the company's subsequent innovations and growth.

Under Kapur's direction, Sona Comstar strengthened its research and development investments during the COVID-19 pandemic and achieved a successful IPO in 2021.

These moves led to the rapid commercialization of eight new products, contributing to nearly half of its ₹20,700 crore ($2.49 billion) approximately order wins in FY24. Kapur also directed acquisitions such as the 2023 purchase of Novelic, which signified the company’s entry into safety sensor technologies.

Among Novelic's notable contributions under Sona's stewardship were advanced Zone Monitoring Sensors and a 180° field-of-view radar, pivotal in the company’s expansion into vehicle safety systems.

Kapur's strategic diversification approach ensured Sona Comstar did not rely on a single product or customer, which helped the company consistently surpass industry growth benchmarks between FY17 and FY24.

He also played prominent roles beyond corporate leadership. Kapur was the president of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India during a crucial recovery period post-pandemic and advocated for India's integration into global automotive supply chains. At the time of his passing, he served as chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry Northern Region.

A passionate polo player, Kapur was on the board of governors at the Doon School and chaired its Sports and IT committees. He also studied corporate strategy and human resource management at the University of Buckingham.

He is survived by his wife, Priya Sachdev Kapur, and his children. He was previously married to Indian actress Karisma Kapoor.

Singh, Sona Comstar's chief executive officer, described Kapur as "the closest thing to a brother I had in this world," reflecting on his deep personal loss.

In a statement, ACMA called him a "respected leader and a visionary," crediting his leadership for advancing the industry's competitiveness and readiness for electric vehicles.

The hours leading up to Kapur's sudden death offered a glimpse into his compassionate nature and enduring connection to the sport he loved.

Just before the polo match, Kapur had posted a heartfelt message on X, expressing condolences for the victims of the Air India crash in Ahmedabad.

In what would become his final public statement, he wrote, "Terrible news of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected. May they find strength in this difficult hour."

The businessman's long-standing relationship with polo had been a source of pride within his family. In a post dated November 20, 2018, his wife had shared a congratulatory message on Instagram.

"Congratulations SONA POLO Team 👊👏👏👊 The A-Team...For Wining the 14 goal tournament!" The message was accompanied by images of Kapur on the field, joined by teammates and family.

Kapur's unexpected passing has left a void in both the corporate and sporting worlds. His leadership, vision, and dedication to industry and community will be remembered by those who worked with him and knew him personally.