Trustee Mehli Mistry challenges removal and seeks independent inquiry into Tata trusts

Mehli Mistry has approached the Maharashtra Charity Commissioner to contest his removal as a trustee of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT) and the Bai Hirabai Jamsetji Tata Navsari Charitable Institution. In a series of applications, he alleges procedural irregularities, breaches of trust-governance rules and questions the eligibility of several trustees.

Mistry argues that Venu Srinivasan’s vote against his reappointment should be invalid because Srinivasan’s tenure as a trustee ended on 23 October 2025, yet he cast the vote on 28 October. He says the trust’s own records note that Srinivasan’s vote should be disregarded, but maintains that the entire resolution was flawed because the decision-making body was not properly constituted.

He also disputes the trust’s claim that his three-year term expired on 28 October 2025, citing the 1932 SDTT Trust Deed, which does not prescribe a fixed tenure, and an October 2024 joint resolution with the Sir Ratan Tata Trust that allows reappointment without a term limit, subject to law.

Regarding the Navsari Charitable Institution, Mistry points to deed provisions requiring trustees to be Parsi Zoroastrians and meet residency criteria. He questions the eligibility of Venu Srinivasan, Vijay Singh and Noel Tata, noting allegations of Irish citizenship and UAE residency, and seeks affidavits confirming compliance.

Mistry has also requested an independent inquiry into SDTT’s financial affairs, highlighting an annual commission of about Rs 1.42 crore paid to Noel Tata by Tata Sons Private Limited in FY 2024-25, as well as other transactions involving Tata Group companies. He urges the commissioner to examine corporate filings, conflict-of-interest declarations and board records under the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, 1950.

While he is not seeking reinstatement as a trustee, Mistry asks for an inspection of the trust’s administration and, if necessary, the appointment of an independent administrator to ensure proper governance. He previously wrote to the trustees, including chairman Noel Tata, describing his departure as a “harmonious exit” and emphasizing the need to protect the institutions’ reputation and public interest.

"Nobody is bigger than the institution it serves," a quote attributed to the late Ratan Tata was referenced in Mistry’s letter.

Mistry’s trusteeship ended in October 2025 after three trustees opposed his reappointment. He had earlier filed a caveat to be heard before any changes to the register of trustees were made.