Siddhartha Bhaiya, Aequitas MD and CIO, dies at 47

Fund manager and investor Siddhartha Bhaiya died on December 31, 2025, at the age of 47, following a sudden cardiac arrest while on a family vacation in New Zealand.

Bhaiya was the managing director and CIO of Aequitas and was widely regarded as the "driving force" behind the firm. In a note to investors, Aequitas said "He was not only a visionary investor, but also a builder of institutions — deeply committed to intellectual honesty, disciplined decision-making, and long-term thinking."

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The firm credited him with shaping Aequitas into an organisation anchored in strong values, robust processes and a culture of accountability. "Many of us were privileged to learn directly from him, and his influence will continue to guide how we think, act, and invest," it added.

While expressing grief over the loss, Aequitas said the team remains united and fully aligned with the principles Bhaiya stood for, adding that it continues to work closely together, focused on delivering for investors in line with the long-term philosophy Bhaiya had envisaged.

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Prior to joining Aequitas in 2012, Bhaiya worked with the PMS division of Nippon India Mutual Fund until 2011, earning recognition as one of its youngest fund managers.