Tata Trust row: Mehli Mistry challenges eligibility of Venu Srinivasan, Vijay Singh as trustees of Bai Hirabai Charitable trust

NEW DELHI: Mehli Mistry, a former trustee of three-key trusts of the Tata Group including the Bai Hirabai Trust Jamsetji Tata Navsari Charitable Institution (BHJTNCI), on Friday formally objected to the appointment and continued representation of two-trustees — Venu Srinivasan and Vijay Singh in the BHJTNCI on the ground that the said individuals are ineligible to qualify for the positions and their appointment as trustees in the said Trust is in blatant violation of a 1923 Trust Deed.

Mistry, in an objection-application filed to the Maharashtra Charity Commissioner, contended that two trustees of the said Trust — Srinivasan (Chairman emeritus of TVS Motor) and Singh (a former IAS officer) never met the qualifications to be appointed as trustees and stand expressly disqualified under the Trust Deed.

He argues that, under Clauses 6 and 18 of the Deed, any such disqualified trustee must be treated as “deemed dead”. He specifically claims that Venu and Vijay have never been of the Parsi Zoroastrian faith and do not have permanent residence in Mumbai. Thus, they are deemed to attract automatic disqualification.

On this basis, Mistry seeks a suo motu inquiry by the State’s Charity Commissioner and requests the authority to direct all trustees (including the aforesaid two) to file affidavits confirming their eligibility.

“The Applicant/Objector is pained to bring to the notice of this Hon’ble Authority, that Applicants Nos. 3 and 4 amongst others, ex facie, never met the qualifications to become trustees and are expressly disqualified from acting as trustees. Any trustees who do not meet the qualifications are to be ‘deemed to be dead’ under Clauses 6 and 18 of the Trust Deed. Applicants Nos. 3 and 4 have never been and cannot be of Parsi Zoroastrian faith.

“Further, Applicants Nos. 3 and 4 do not have any permanent residence in Mumbai. Notably, the Trust Deed carves out a situation wherein if a person ceases to be of Zoroastrian faith, they cease to operate as if they are dead, thereby warranting a continuing investigation as to whether any trustee falls within the said category of being a Zoroastrian earlier, and having ceased to follow the Zoroastrian faith. The Applicant/Objector prays for this Hon’ble Authority to suo motu initiate a detailed inquiry to be conducted on the said matter, by calling for an affidavit by each Applicant”, the objection-application reads.

Mistry further states that he, on the other hand, fulfils all eligibility requirements, as he is a Parsi Zoroastrian and maintains permanent residence in Mumbai. He calls for similar sworn declarations from all trustees to ensure compliance with Clauses 6 and 18 throughout their tenure, including confirmation of their continued faith and residence.

He argues that individuals who do not meet these mandatory qualifications cannot lawfully act as trustees. According to him, their appointments amount to cheating, fraud and criminal breach of trust, which constitute maladministration under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2024 and the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, 1950. He asserts that their appointments are void from inception and that any actions taken by them as trustees are non-est in law and without authority.

Mistry, in his objection application, also clarifies that his aim is only to expose the alleged illegal functioning of the Trust, including mismanagement and maladministration and is not intended to seek his reinstatement to the said Trust. He reiterates his earlier stand and states that his sole objective is to uphold the principles of the Trust’s founding Will, honour the legacy of Ratan Tata, and safeguard its values for the welfare of the Parsi community.

“It is imperative for the Applicant (Mistry) to clarify herein that the aforementioned objections are to bring to fore the illegal functioning of the Trust, including mismanagement, malfeasance and maladministration. The purpose, objective or prayer herein is not for any reinstatement of the Applicant/Objector to the said trust, as the Applicant reiterates his principled stand as reproduced in his letter dated 4 November 2025. The motivation herein is to uphold the principles of the Will by which the Trust has been created, the predecessors, Mr Ratan Tata himself, and the future trustees and custodians of these values for the welfare of the Parsi community”, the application reads.

As per the Tata Trusts website, the Bai Hirabai Jamsetji Tata Navsari Charitable Institution (BHJTNCI) is a philanthropic trust established in 1923, aiding Parsi and community welfare in Navsari, Gujarat, through education and healthcare. It is part of the allied Tata Trusts, which share a common Board of Trustees with the Sir Ratan Tata Trust.

Earlier in February 2026, Mistry, being a trustee on the board of the Tata Education and Development Trust (TEDT), had also raised a concern on a separate issue pertaining to the proposed scrapping of the Vice-Chairman position across Tata Trusts. He argued that the Trust Deed contains no provision for such a role.

On November 4, 2025, Mistry, a long-time trustee of the Tata Trust, made a peaceful and honourable exit from the Trust, citing commitment to the late Tata group Chairman and his friend Ratan Tata. Mistrys’ decision had brought an end to all the speculation over whether Mehli would contest the decision of the Board of Trustees of the Tata Trusts who — despite having passed a resolution in October 2024 to reappoint Mistry as a life-time trustee of the Tata Trusts after his tenure had ended — did not approve his reappointment his reappointment to the two key trusts, the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust, as three trustees voted against Mistry.

Although having filed a preemptive caveat with the Maharashtra Charity Commissioner to grant him a hearing before any modifications with regard to his role in Tata Trust, Mistry had brought an end to the row by penning a letter to all trustees stating that, rather than precipitating the issue, he preferred to exit harmoniously.
Mistry has now objected to the appointment of the aforesaid two trustees in the BHJTNCI and seeks an inquiry over the same.

Presently, the BHJTNCI has six trustees — Noel N Tata (Chairman), Venu Srinivasan (Vice Chairman), Vijay Singh (Vice Chairman), Jimmy N Tata, Darius Khambata and Jehangir HC Jehangir. (ANI)