Mumbai23 minutes ago
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Mehli Misri, who was close to Ratan Tata, has resigned from three trusts of Tata Trusts. This includes Sir Ratan Tata Trust, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and Bai Heerabai J.N. Tata Navsari Charitable Institution Trust is incorporated. He gave this information in a letter on 4 November.
Recently, voting was held regarding the reappointment of Misri in the major charity arms of Tata Trusts. In this, three trustees Noel Tata, Venu Srinivasan and Vijay Singh had voted against his re-appointment. Mistry’s tenure was ending on October 28.
Main reason for resignation: Avoidance of controversy
Mistry told in his letter that on his return to Mumbai he came to know about the recent news regarding his trusteeship. His letter will help put an end to those speculative reports, which are not in the benefit of Tata Trusts and against its vision.
He wrote- My dedication to the vision of Ratan N Tata also includes the responsibility to ensure that the Tata Trusts are not pushed into any controversy. I believe that complicating things further will cause irreparable damage to the reputation of Tata Trusts.
At the end of his letter he also recalled a quote by Ratan Tata, “Nobody is bigger than the institution it serves.
Roadmap ahead: Will be associated with Breach Candy Hospital
Mistry will still be associated with Tata Education and Development Trust (TEDT) and Breach Candy Hospital, where the Tata group recently donated Rs 500 crore from CSR funds. After the death of Ratan Tata, Noel Tata took over the chairmanship and since then consolidation is taking place in the trusts.
Tata Trust controls 66% shares of Tata Sons
There are some other trusts in Tata Trusts including Sir Ratan Tata Trust. These trusts control 66% shares of Tata Sons. Tata Sons includes companies like TCS, Tata Steel, Tata Motors.
Mistry was a trustee of Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT) and Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT) since 2022. These two main trusts together hold 51% stake in Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group. They have the right to nominate one-third of the members on the board of Tata Sons.
Controversy started over removal of Vijay Singh from the board of Tata Sons
- After the death of Ratan Tata in October 2024, his half brother Noel Tata was made the chairman of Tata Trust. Noel was also inducted into the board of Tata Sons in November 2024. But this decision was not unanimous within the trust.
- This led to a direct division of board seats among the Tata Trusts controlling Tata Sons. One group was with Noel Tata, and the other group was with Mehli Mistry. Mistry has connections to the Shapoorji Pallonji family, which holds 18.37% stake in Tata Sons.
- Nearly a year after Ratan Tata’s demise, the trustees, by a majority vote, removed former defense secretary Vijay Singh from the board of Tata Sons. This decision was so big that the entire country’s attention went to the internal strife of Tata Trusts. The government also had to intervene.
- Amid the controversy over Tata Sons’ board seat, on October 7, the senior leadership held a 45-minute meeting at Home Minister Amit Shah’s house. According to a report, the government said that the domestic dispute should be resolved quickly, so that the company is not affected.
Mistry had approved Srinivasan’s reinstatement with conditions.
Last week, Mistry had conditionally approved the reinstatement of Srinivasan as trustee and vice chairman of Sir Dorabji Tata Trust.
He had said in an email – If any trustee does not pass a resolution to reinstate Venu Srinivasan or does not bring a similar unanimous resolution for the other trustees when their terms end, then I will not give my formal approval to the reinstatement of Srinivasan.
Mehli Mistry is the cousin of Cyrus Mistry
Mistry is the promoter of M Pallonji Group, which has businesses like industrial painting, shipping, dredging, car dealership. His company Sterling Motors is a dealer of Tata Motors.
Mistry is a cousin of Shapoorji Mistry and his late brother Cyrus Mistry. Shapoorji Pallonji Group holds 18.37% stake in Tata Sons.
Read the full letter written by Mehli Mistry to the trustees of Tata Trusts…
Dear Chairman,
It has been a privilege to serve as a Trustee. I got this opportunity because the late Shri Ratan N Tata himself chose me. He was my closest friend and guide, and he had full confidence that I would always remain dedicated to his ideals.
But after returning to Mumbai last night, I came to know about the recent news regarding my trusteeship in Tata Trusts. I believe this letter will help put an end to speculative news, which does not serve the interests of Tata Trusts and is against its vision. Tata Trusts have always been synonymous with honesty and national service. It was an honor for me to serve as a Trustee, given to me by Mr. Ratan N Tata, till October 28, 2025.
While fulfilling my responsibilities towards Tata Trusts, I have been inspired by his vision – The idea of honest governance, quiet charity and complete honestyMy dedication to the vision of Shri Ratan N Tata also includes my responsibility to ensure that the Tata Trusts are not drawn into any controversy. I believe that complicating things further will cause irreparable damage to the reputation of Tata Trusts.
Therefore, in the spirit of Shri Ratan N Tata – who always put his own interests ahead of the public interest – I hope that the actions of the remaining Trustees going forward will be guided by the principles of transparency, good governance and public interest. As I bid farewell, I repeat the quote that Mr. Ratan N Tata often used to say to me, “No one is greater than the organization he serves.”
your faithfully,
Mehli KM Mistry
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