Industrial magnate Sunjay Kapur, best known for leading the Kapur Group to global prominence, collapsed and died at age 53 after allegedly swallowing a bee during a high-stakes polo tournament in New Delhi—a bizarre incident that has left the business world reeling Reuters obituary.
Kapur, who had just scored the winning goal for his team, reportedly inhaled the insect while galloping at full tilt, triggering an acute allergic reaction that medical personnel at the field hospital were unable to reverse The Guardian report. Witnesses said he clutched his throat and tried to speak before collapsing into his teammate’s arms.
@PoloNewsDaily “Tragedy at Delhi Polo Cup as titan Sunjay Kapur succumbs to anaphylaxis on the field.” via X
Paramedics administered epinephrine and performed CPR, but Kapur never regained consciousness, and he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences emergency ward NDTV briefing.
Born into a prominent industrial family, Kapur transformed the Kapur Group into a diversified empire spanning steel manufacturing, renewable energy, and hospitality, earning a spot on Forbes’ list of India’s top 50 billionaires Forbes profile. His philanthropic foundation funded education initiatives that benefited over 100,000 students across rural India.
@ForbesIndia “From steel mills to solar farms, Sunjay Kapur’s visionary leadership reshaped Indian industry.” View on X
Polo colleagues remembered Kapur as a fierce competitor and generous patron of the sport. Captain Rajiv Menon told The Telegraph that “he led by example—always the first to practice and the last to leave, even after 12-goal matches.”
The shocking nature of his death has reignited discussion about on-field medical protocols. Sports medicine expert Dr. Aisha Siddiqui of the Indian Institute of Medical Sciences argued in her journal article that mandatory allergy screenings for athletes in outdoor sports should become standard practice.
@DrAishaSidd “Anaphylaxis can strike in seconds—sporting events must have rapid-response allergy kits onsite.” via X
Kapur is survived by his two sons, Arjun, 18, and Dev, 15, who were reportedly present at the match but whisked away before media could approach. A family spokesperson issued a statement through the Kapur Foundation, expressing “profound grief” and requesting privacy as they cope with an unimaginable loss official statement.
Equestrian associations worldwide paid tribute. The Federation of International Polo tweeted a moment of silence for Kapur “whose passion elevated the game globally” via X.
@FIPolo “Honoring Sunjay Kapur—a champion on and off the field.” View on X
Investigators confirmed the bee species as the Indian honeybee, whose venom can provoke anaphylaxis in sensitized individuals. Allergy specialist Dr. Vikram Singh told Hindustan Times that “even casual exposure to Hymenoptera venom can be lethal without immediate treatment.”
Meanwhile, social media users under #RIPSunjayKapur expressed shock and sorrow. Instagram fan page @BusinessIcons posted a tribute reel featuring Kapur’s speeches on sustainable industry, amassing 500,000 views within hours via Instagram.
Philanthropic partners announced memorial scholarships in his name. The Kapur Foundation pledged ₹50 million to endow the “Sunjay Kapur Fellowship for Young Innovators,” aimed at supporting tech startups in renewable energy fellowship details.
@RenewableIndia “Kapur’s legacy will light the way for the next generation of clean-energy pioneers.” via X
Memorial services are planned in Mumbai and London, reflecting Kapur’s global reach. A private ceremony at Bombay High Court Polo Grounds will precede a public memorial at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, where he championed educational exchanges between the UK and India BBC News.
As investigations continue into emergency response times at the match, many are left pondering life’s fragility. Business peers described Kapur’s death as “a cruel twist of fate” and vow to press for improved medical readiness at all sporting venues.
