Rani Kapur, the 82‑year‑old widow of industrialist Dr. Surinder Kapur, has filed a high‑profile civil suit in the Delhi High Court alleging that her daughter‑in‑law, Priya Kapur, and other family members orchestrated a fraudulent trust to siphon her entire estate and controlling stakes in the Sona Group. The case, dubbed the Rani Kapur lawsuit trust fraud, has sent shockwaves through Delhi’s corporate and legal circles, raising questions about estate planning, elder abuse, and corporate governance.
Background and Context
Dr. Surinder Kapur, founder and promoter of the Sona Group, passed away in June 2015. His will, dated 6 February 2013, bequeathed all movable and immovable assets—including shares in Sona Group companies—to his wife, Rani Kapur. The will was probated in January 2016 without objection from their three children, including the late Sunjay Kapur. In 2016, Rani Kapur established two legitimate trusts—the Dr. SK Family Trust and the MK Family Trust—under which she remained the settlor and principal beneficiary.
In September 2017, Rani Kapur suffered a stroke, rendering her physically and emotionally dependent on her son Sunjay and his third wife, Priya. According to the plaint, the defendants exploited her vulnerability to divert assets into a newly created “RK Family Trust” (also referred to as the Rani Kapur Family Trust) through a deed dated 26 October 2017. The trust, the suit claims, was forged, signed without Rani’s consent, and designed to exclude her from any benefit.
While the existence of the RK Family Trust was first questioned in 2019, Rani Kapur only obtained photocopies of the deed in July and November 2025, after Sunjay’s sudden death in June 2025. The copies reportedly differ in signatures and stamps, and forensic analysis suggests that the initials attributed to Rani Kapur are forged.
Key Developments
The Delhi High Court has received the plaint on 21 January 2026. Rani Kapur seeks:
- A declaration that the RK Family Trust is illegal, void, and a product of fraud, forgery, and undue influence.
- Dissolution of the trust and restitution of all assets to their pre‑trust status.
- Rendition of accounts from 2017 to the present.
- Permanent injunctions preventing the defendants from operating trust bank accounts, using digital signatures in her name, or representing themselves as trustees.
- Cancellation of statutory filings made under the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act.
In a statement, Rani Kapur’s counsel, Mr. Arjun Mehta, said, “The evidence points to a calculated conspiracy to dispossess an elderly widow of her lifetime assets. The court must act swiftly to restore her estate and protect her legacy.”
Priya Kapur, in a brief reply, denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the trust was established with Rani’s knowledge and that the assets were transferred legally. She also claimed that the trust was a standard corporate restructuring measure.
Meanwhile, the Sona Group’s board has issued a statement saying it is “reviewing the matter in accordance with corporate governance norms” and that no shares have been transferred without proper board approval.
Impact Analysis
For Delhi’s business community, the case underscores the vulnerability of elderly shareholders and the importance of transparent estate planning. Corporate insiders may now scrutinize trust deeds more closely, especially when beneficiaries are not clearly named.
Students of law and business administration will find the case a practical illustration of:
- How trusts can be misused for asset concealment.
- The legal safeguards against undue influence and forgery.
- The role of the High Court in adjudicating family disputes involving corporate assets.
For the general public, the case highlights the need for:
- Regular review of wills and trusts, especially after major life events.
- Professional legal counsel when drafting estate documents.
- Awareness of signs of elder abuse, such as sudden changes in asset ownership.
Expert Insights and Practical Tips
Dr. Meera Nair, a professor of Corporate Law at the University of Delhi, advises, “Elderly individuals should keep original copies of all legal documents in a secure, separate location. It is also prudent to have a trusted third party, such as a notary or a lawyer, witness the signing of any trust deed.”
Financial advisors recommend that families:
- Maintain a clear chain of custody for all assets.
- Use independent auditors to review trust accounts annually.
- Set up digital safeguards, such as two‑factor authentication, for online banking linked to trusts.
For students preparing for careers in corporate law or estate planning, the case offers a real‑world scenario to study:
- The interplay between wills, trusts, and corporate shareholding.
- Procedural steps for filing a civil suit against a trust.
- Strategies for gathering forensic evidence, such as signature analysis.
Looking Ahead
The Delhi High Court is expected to schedule a hearing in the coming weeks. If the court rules in favor of Rani Kapur, it could set a precedent for similar disputes involving trusts and elder assets. Conversely, a dismissal could embolden families to use trusts as a shield against legal scrutiny.
Corporate governance bodies may respond by tightening internal controls on trust formations and asset transfers. The Sona Group, already under scrutiny, may implement stricter board approval processes for any future trust-related transactions.
For the broader legal community, the case may prompt a review of existing statutes governing trusts and elder protection, potentially leading to legislative amendments that close loopholes exploited in this dispute.
As the case unfolds, stakeholders across the legal, corporate, and public sectors will be watching closely to see how the court balances the rights of an elderly widow against the interests of a powerful business family.
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