The internal conflict within the Tata Trusts has escalated significantly as former trustee Mehli Mistry filed a formal objection with the Maharashtra Charity Commissioner. Mistry is seeking the appointment of an independent administrator to oversee the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT), alleging systemic “illegalities” and “mismanagement” by the current board.
This move marks a major deepening of the rift following Mistry’s exit from the trusts in late 2025, after the board—led by Noel Tata—declined to renew his term.
The Core Allegations: “Illegally Constituted Board”
In his filing, Mistry argues that the current SDTT board is operating in violation of the Maharashtra Public Trust Act (Section 30A), which was amended in September 2025 to restrict perpetual trusteeships and regulate tenure limits.
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Invalid Appointments: Mistry claims that the appointments of several key trustees, including Noel Tata as Chairman and Venu Srinivasan as Vice Chairman, were not correctly reported through mandatory “change reports,” rendering their votes and subsequent board decisions void.
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Selective Compliance: He alleges the board selectively applied an October 2024 resolution intended to ensure “perpetual reappointments” for existing trustees. Mistry contends he was targeted for removal while other trustees benefited from the same resolution to secure their own positions.
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Procedural Breaches: The application asserts that the board that voted against his reappointment in October 2025 was “unlawfully constituted” because certain members participated in the vote after their legal tenures had technically expired.
Conflict of Interest and Financial Claims
Beyond governance, the objection levels serious personal accusations against two veteran trustees:
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Vijay Singh: Mistry alleges that Singh received over ₹20 crore in commissions and sitting fees from Tata Sons and other group companies during his tenure as a nominee director. He argues these funds should have legally accrued to the Trust rather than being retained personally.
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Venu Srinivasan: The filing claims a breach of fiduciary duty involving the engagement of a senior Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) executive as a consultant for a subsidiary of Srinivasan’s TVS Group.
Current Board Composition
The SDTT board currently under fire consists of:
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Noel Tata (Chairman)
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Venu Srinivasan (Vice Chairman)
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Vijay Singh
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Darius Khambata
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Bhaskar Bhat
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Neville Tata
Analysis: What This Means for Tata Sons
The Tata Trusts collectively own approximately 66% of Tata Sons, the holding company for the global conglomerate. Any instability or legal challenge to the trusts’ governance can have a ripple effect on the leadership and strategic direction of the entire group.
Mistry’s Stance: Mistry has explicitly stated he has “no desire” to return to the board. He maintains that his legal challenge is solely to protect the integrity of the institution and ensure it is run by “able, honest trustees” or a government-appointed administrator to restore lawful governance.
The Bottom Line: The Charity Commissioner’s office will now conduct a quasi-judicial inquiry into these claims. If an administrator is appointed, it would represent an unprecedented level of external intervention in the history of the 130-year-old philanthropic organization.
Disclaimer: This summary is based on reporting from April 16, 2026. Legal proceedings are ongoing.
