Tata Trusts Rift: Mehli Mistry's Olive Branch Signals Truce in Epic Power Struggle

The Tata Trusts, the philanthropic powerhouse behind the Tata Group's vast empire, is navigating a turbulent internal rift that has pitted trustees against each other in a high-stakes battle over governance and leadership. At the heart of the conflict is the nomination of directors to the Tata Sons board, where divisions have deepened into two distinct factions. However, a recent development suggests a potential thaw: Mehli Mistry, a key figure in the opposing camp, has extended an olive branch by approving the lifetime trusteeship renewal for Venu Srinivasan, as confirmed by sources to NDTV Profit.

The rift came to a head following the passing of Ratan Tata, triggering a power struggle within the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT) and Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT), which collectively hold a majority stake in Tata Sons. On October 17, 2024, trustees passed a landmark resolution affirming lifetime appointments for current members, subject to a review at age 75, and establishing an Executive Committee comprising Noel Tata, Mehli Mistry, Venu Srinivasan, and Vijay Singh to oversee critical decisions on Tata Sons' shareholding and operations. The resolution also stipulated no dual chairmanship between Tata Trusts and Tata Sons, with Noel Tata set to lead both entities in distinct capacities.

Sources reveal that Srinivasan's renewal process is progressing smoothly via trustee circulation, with Mistry and Vijay Singh among the first to endorse it—moves that underscore adherence to the resolution's spirit of continuity. Mistry's own term expires on October 28, 2025, and while speculation swirled about potential challenges amid the factional tensions, insiders dismiss such fears. "The renewal is not a point of contention as it has been agreed in the resolution of 2024 that this committee gets life trusteeship. Mehli Mistry approving Venu’s renewal is proof of the same," a source told NDTV Profit on condition of anonymity.

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The factions remain sharply divided: The Noel Tata-led group, including Srinivasan and Singh (a former Tata Sons nominee), champions stability and procedural integrity. In contrast, Mistry's camp—featuring Pramit Jhaveri, Jehangir Jehangir, and Darius Khambata—has resisted Singh's reappointment and advocated for fresh nominee directors, resulting in a 3-4 trustee split. Legal experts emphasize that the October 17 resolution, unanimously adopted, outlines four pivotal principles to guide the Trusts through this transitional era, invoking the legacy of Ratan Tata and the trustees' public duty.

Earlier this month, senior Tata leaders—Noel Tata, Venu Srinivasan, N. Chandrasekaran, and Darius Khambata—sought Cabinet ministers' counsel on the discord, with two trustees urging government mediation. Ministers urged internal resolution to safeguard the group's storied legacy. As renewal processes test the Trusts' unity, any friction could invite scrutiny from the Maharashtra Charity Commissioner. With Mistry's approval marking a gesture of goodwill, the coming weeks will reveal whether this olive branch paves the way for lasting harmony or merely delays deeper confrontations.

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