Tensions escalate at Sona BLW: Cease-and-desist notice issued to Rani Kapur; late Sunjay Kapur’s mother accused of spreading ‘malafide’ information

Sona BLW Precision Forgings (Sona Comstar) has issued a cease-and-desist notice to Rani Kapur, mother of former chairman Sunjay Kapur, demanding she stop disseminating unlawful and defamatory information, according to informed sources, quoted by Economic Times.The notice demands Rani withdraw her July 24 letter to the board, shareholders and stakeholders within 24 hours. The company has warned of potential civil or criminal actions against her and associates if compliance isn’t achieved within 3 days of receipt.The company has firmly rejected her recent allegations of mismanagement and coercion, labelling them as “malafide, false, unwarranted and uncorroborated.”ET Sources close to Rani Kapur confirmed receipt of the notice through DSK Legal. They indicated she plans to respond after consulting her legal team. These sources noted that with her bank accounts blocked, approaching the National Company Law Tribunal in Chandigarh appears to be her remaining option.Last Thursday, Rani requested postponement of the annual general meeting (AGM), alleging she was forced to sign documents while grieving for her son. The company proceeded with the AGM after legal consultation, noting she wasn’t a shareholder and lacked standing to request postponement.Sunjay Kapur, Rani’s son, died aged 53 on June 12 from a heart attack while playing polo in the UK. Rani Kapur claimed that she does not know what happened to her son. “I’m old now. I need closure before I go,” she said in a video interview with ANI.Citing her declining health, Kapur added that she would not make further public comments. “Given my health and my age, I will not be making any further comments. My legal team will address everything necessary.”The company escalated matters on Monday by sending the notice to Rani and copying Sebi, according to the ET sources.The notice questioned the timing of Rani’s letter, sent just before the AGM, suggesting intent to harm the company. It emphasised that Rani isn’t a shareholder and hasn’t held any company role since 2019.The company highlighted its successful professional management since founder Surinder Kapur’s death.The ownership structure shows 71.98% public shareholding through institutional investors, whilst promoters hold 28.02% via Aureus Investments Pvt Limited (AIPL).Following Sunjay’s death, the company maintained transparency, appointed a new chairman and conducted the AGM. Priya Sachdev, Sunjay’s wife, became a non-executive director following AIPL’s nomination, ratified at Friday’s AGM. The company termed Rani’s actions “lamentable.”Sona BLW shares have declined approximately 3 percent over five sessions.The company released a public statement Monday evening, asserting Rani’s lack of standing in company matters.The statement rejected claims of family control, noting Aureus Investments holds one non-executive board position. It emphasised that six independent directors and two executive directors have no family connections. “The current board of 9 members include two executive directors — both seasoned professionals with no affiliation to the Kapur family — and six independent directors with exemplary reputations and distinguished careers. The promoter entity holds no executive roles and has no involvement in day-to-day management or strategic control of the Company,” said the statement, quoted by ET.