#JustIn: Mehli Mistry to Exit Tata Trusts as Noel Tata, Others Oppose His Reappointment

Mehli Mistry, a long-time associate of the late Ratan Tata, is set to exit the boards of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and Sir Ratan Tata Trust following opposition from a majority of trustees to his reappointment. On October 28, 2025, sources confirmed that three out of six trustees—Chairman Noel Tata, TVS Group Chairman Venu Srinivasan, and former defence secretary Vijay Singh—voted against Mistry's renewal through a circular resolution last week, effectively ending his two-year tenure that began in 2022.

The trusts, which collectively hold a 51 per cent stake in Tata Sons and wield significant influence over the Tata Group's holding company, including veto powers and board nomination rights, have been navigating internal divisions since Ratan Tata's passing in October 2024. This development underscores ongoing governance tensions within one of India's most prominent philanthropic entities.

At the Dorabji Tata Trust, supporters Darius Khambata and Prameet Jhaveri backed Mistry's continuation, while at the Ratan Tata Trust, Khambata and Jehangir H. Jehangir voted in favour. The split reportedly intensified after Mistry's camp opposed Vijay Singh's reappointment as a Tata Sons nominee director, fracturing board unity. Mistry, 65, joined the trusts as a close confidant of Ratan Tata, contributing to strategic philanthropy in areas like healthcare, education, and rural development.

Also Read: Tata Trusts Confirms Venu Srinivasan as Lifetime Trustee, Awaits Call on Mehli Mistry

However, his distant familial ties to the Shapoorji Pallonji (SP) Group—stemming from the 2016 ouster of Cyrus Mistry as Tata Sons chairman—have fuelled perceptions of lingering conflicts, though sources describe Mistry's relationship with the SP Group as strained and peripheral. Tata Trusts did not respond to queries on the matter.

The controversy highlights deeper disagreements over trusteeship terms, with Mistry's allies arguing that renewal is automatic, granting lifetime status after one term, while the Noel Tata-led faction interprets post-Ratan Tata resolutions differently. Lawyers advising the trusts remain divided on whether the 2024 resolution—stating that trustees become life members upon renewal—applies universally or requires explicit approval. In contrast, Venu Srinivasan recently received unanimous backing for his lifetime reappointment, prompting Mistry to caveat his support by advocating reciprocal renewals for all. This disparity has amplified calls for clearer bylaws, especially as the trusts manage assets exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore and influence decisions at companies like TCS and Tata Steel.

As Mistry's departure looms, it signals a potential realignment in Tata Trusts' leadership, prioritising stability amid the group's expansive CSR initiatives, such as the "One Tata" collaboration on health and sustainability projects. Observers note that while the trusts' veto power ensures continuity in Tata Sons' oversight, unresolved interpretive disputes could invite regulatory scrutiny from bodies like the Charity Commissioner. Noel Tata, elevated to chairman shortly after his brother's death, now faces the task of unifying the board to sustain the philanthropic legacy that underpins the Tata empire's ethical foundation.

Also Read: Tata Trusts Confirms Venu Srinivasan as Lifetime Trustee, Awaits Call on Mehli Mistry