Mumbai: Mehli Mistry, a close confidante of Ratan Tata, on Thursday challenged his removal as trustee of the Bai Hirabai Jamsetji Tata Navsaji Charitable Institution and the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT), which took place on October 23, 2025.
He also rebutted claims by two key Tata trusts questioning his legal standing to raise concerns over their governance practices and alleged conflicts of interest.
On October 15, the Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT) and the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust questioned Mistry's locus standi to challenge their governance practices and conflicts of interest.
In three rejoinders submitted before the Charity Commissioner, Mistry reiterated his objections, stating that they were raised in the interest of transparency and accountability.
During the hearing, the Charity Commissioner directed the Tata Trusts to file their responses to the rejoinders by December 3.
Mistry also challenged the cessation of his trusteeship, arguing that the original trust deed does not contain any provision limiting a trustee's tenure to three years. He questioned why Tata Trusts chairman Noel Tata was granted a benefit that was denied to him.
Contesting the validity of the circular dated October 23, 2025, which announced the cessation of his trusteeship, Mistry claimed that Noel Tata, Venu Srinivasan and Vijay Singh had not approved the resolution, while Jimmy N. Tata had not responded.
He urged the Charity Commissioner to examine the validity of the resolution through which his trusteeship was terminated, along with the authority and eligibility of the trustees who participated in the vote. He also sought rejection of the 'change report'.
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In his rejoinders, Mistry further referred to clauses in the Bai Hirabai trust deed that specify that trustees must be practising Parsis from Navsari or what was then known as the Bombay Presidency. He questioned whether Noel Tata fulfilled these eligibility requirements.
Responding to questions concerning his UAE tax residency, Mistry pointed out that Noel Tata is an Irish citizen and holds a UAE Golden Visa. He also urged the Charity Commissioner to direct all trustees to submit affidavits confirming their eligibility under the trust deed, including their adherence to the Parsi Zoroastrian faith.
(With inputs from PTI)
