Darius Khambata Denies ‘Coup’ Claims, Backs Noel Tata’s Leadership in Tata Trusts Row
Darius Khambata denies “coup” claims, calls Tata trust meeting a routine board review.
Senior Advocate and Trustee Darius J Khambata has strongly rejected claims that a September 11, 2025 meeting within the Tata philanthropic trusts was an attempted “coup” to seize control, describing such characterizations as “absurd” in a confidential letter leaked to the media. Addressed to key leaders including Noel Tata and Venu Srinivasan, Khambata’s November 10 letter clarifies that the meeting was merely an annual review of the trust representatives on the Tata Sons board, amidst ongoing concerns about a potential listing of Tata Sons.
Khambata, former Advocate General of Maharashtra and Additional Solicitor General of India, emphasized that trustee nominee directors serve as a “duty to the Trusts, not a prize.” He revealed his own refusal of Ratan Tata’s suggestion to join the Tata Sons board, underscoring the principle that representation is about responsibilities, not personal gain. He also defended trustee Vijay Singh, whose continuation as director was blocked, stressing there was no personal vendetta involved.
The letter highlights the trusts’ largest combined stake in Tata Sons and the importance of their nominee directors in shaping group-level decisions, particularly to prevent the holding company’s public listing—a subject of detailed internal debate for months. Khambata regrets the “unfair slant” in media coverage and the undue “vilification campaign” against himself and others for expressing dissenting views, noting his choice to remain publicly silent “in the larger interests of the Trusts.”
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Khambata also recounted the post-Ratan Tata leadership transition, affirming his full support for Noel Tata as the only suitable successor to lead the trusts. He revealed that Mehli Mistry proposed, and he seconded, Noel Tata’s chairmanship—the “only person who could have done so”—vowing, “The Tata legacy is in good hands.” He has twice pushed for a unified statement reaffirming trust cohesion and backing Noel Tata’s leadership amid internal differences.
Reframing the episode as a legitimate internal debate rather than a power struggle, Khambata’s letter seeks to move the narrative away from factionalism toward safeguarding the long-term interests of Tata trusts. Discussions continue among trustees on governance matters and the future of Tata Sons, with Khambata urging unity to strengthen the philanthropic ecosystem amid ongoing media scrutiny.
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