Former Tata Trust Trustee Files Formal Challenge Over Board Eligibility
In a significant development within the Tata philanthropic ecosystem, former Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT) trustee Mehli Mistry has launched a formal challenge against the positions of Venu Srinivasan and Vijay Singh on the board of the Bai Hirabai Jamsetji Tata Navsari Charitable Institution. Mistry contends that both individuals are fundamentally ineligible to serve as trustees under the strict provisions of the institution's 1923 founding deed.
Core Allegations Based on 1923 Trust Deed
Mistry's objection application, filed with the Maharashtra charity commissioner, hinges on clauses 6 and 18 of the original deed. These clauses explicitly mandate that all trustees must be of the Zoroastrian faith and permanent residents of the former Bombay Presidency, now Mumbai. The application argues that Srinivasan, chairman emeritus of TVS Motor, and Singh, a former defence secretary, fail to meet both critical criteria.
"No person who is not of Zoroastrian faith shall be appointed as a trustee, and if any trustee ceases to profess the Zoroastrian faith, he shall cease to be a trustee, as if he were 'dead'. Similarly, any person who ceases to be a permanent resident of the Bombay Presidency shall also cease to be a trustee," Mistry cited from the deed in his filing.
Call for Investigation and Potential Administration
The former trustee has called for an official, detailed inquiry by the charity commissioner. He has urged the regulatory body to require every current trustee to submit sworn affidavits confirming their compliance with the deed's religious and residential qualifications. Given the alleged "illegalities" in governance, Mistry has further requested that an administrator be appointed to replace the current board, which includes Noel Tata, Jimmy Tata, Jehangir Jehangir, and Darius Khambata alongside Srinivasan and Singh.
Mistry asserts that the appointments of Srinivasan and Singh are "void from inception." Consequently, he argues that any official actions they have taken—including their votes against the renewal of his own trusteeship last year—are legally invalid and without authority.
Background and Broader Context of the Dispute
The Bai Hirabai Institution is an associate trust of the influential SRTT, a major shareholder in Tata Sons, which oversees the colossal $180 billion Tata conglomerate. It was established under the will of Sir Ratanji Tata, the second son of group founder Jamsetji Tata. The trust was bequeathed properties in Navsari, Gujarat—the Tata family's ancestral home—with the intention that the real estate be used for the benefit of the Parsi community, potentially as a recreation ground, nursing home, or hospital.
Mistry's trusteeship at the institution was not renewed in 2023 following a vote by Noel Tata, Venu Srinivasan, and Vijay Singh. His term on the SRTT board was also not extended. All six individuals named in the challenge currently serve on the SRTT board as well.
Alleged Governance Failures and Minimum Trustee Quorum
In his filing, Mistry raised additional serious concerns about the institution's operations. He claimed that "no meetings have been conducted" at the Bai Hirabai Institution over the past two years, demonstrating a disregard for its beneficiaries and charitable legacy. He has asked the commissioner to call for the minutes of all meetings during this period and to conduct a full inspection of records.
Furthermore, Mistry submitted that if the allegedly unqualified trustees are rightfully excluded, the total number of remaining trustees would fall below the minimum of five required under the trust deed, creating a governance crisis.
Stated Motives and Official Responses
Mistry clarified that his objective is not to seek personal reinstatement but to expose what he believes is illegal functioning and to uphold the principles of Sir Ratanji Tata's will. He stated his actions are motivated by a commitment to honour the legacy of his predecessors and to safeguard the institution's charitable mandate for the welfare of the Parsi community, a duty he says was entrusted to him by former chairman Ratan Tata.
The objection follows the institution's recent submission of a change report to the charity commissioner, reflecting the board's revised composition after Mistry's trusteeship lapsed. Mistry argues this report is not maintainable as it contradicts the trust deed. When contacted for comment, Noel Tata and Venu Srinivasan did not respond to an emailed query, while Vijay Singh declined to comment.
