Turmoil at Tata Trusts: Mehli Mistry Challenges His Removal, Noel Tata to Leave Titan Board

Mehli Mistry, a former close associate of the late Ratan Tata, has officially contested his removal as a trustee of the Tata Trusts before the Charity Commissioner. He was dismissed from his positions at the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT) and the Bai Hirabai Jamshedji Tata Navasari Charitable Institution on October 23 of last year.

Conflict of Interest Allegations

Mistry's legal filings highlight concerns raised by the SDTT and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT) regarding the governance practices and potential conflicts of interest associated with his role. He argues that the original deed does not impose a three-year term limit on trustees, challenging their authority to define his tenure.

Claims of Unequal Treatment

In his documents, Mistry has pointed out disparities in benefits distributed among trustees, particularly questioning why the advantages granted to Chairman Noel Tata were not similarly extended to him.

Lack of Support for Removal Proposal

Mistry asserts that three trustees, namely Noel Tata, Venu Srinivasan, and Vijay Singh, did not endorse the proposal for his removal. He claims Jimmy N. Tata failed to respond to this matter.

Noel Tata to Step Down

Noel N. Tata, Chairman of Tata Trusts, has announced his decision to retire from the board of Titan Company Limited, a jewelry and watch manufacturer, effective November 12, 2026. This move aligns with operational guidelines set by the Tata Group, as disclosed in a regulatory filing. The 69-year-old has previously resigned from several other Tata Group boards.