Tata Trusts has challenged legal standing of , former trustee of the Tata Trusts, to contest changes in the composition of Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT) and (SDTT), arguing that he cannot raise objections after his three-year tenure expired.
The dispute over trustee appointments and the administration of the philanthropic institutions was heard before the Maharashtra Charity Commissioner on Thursday, NDTV Profit reported.
According to the news outlet, Tata Trusts denied Mistry’s , arguing that only a serving trustee or a beneficiary can object to a trust’s change report. The trust’s lawyers reportedly contended that Mistry did not qualify as either when he filed his objections, months after his tenure ended.
Mistry’s side sought time to respond to the submissions.
Why Tata Trusts is challenging Mistry’s legal standing
Mistry’s term at Sir Ratan Tata Trust expired on October 28, 2025. His reappointment did not proceed because the trust requires unanimity among its trustees, which was not achieved, according to submissions made by the trust.
Tata Trusts has maintained that the end of Mistry’s tenure was the expiry of a fixed term rather than the removal of a trustee. The change report filed with the Charity Commissioner was a statutory document reflecting the change in the trust’s composition, its lawyers argued.
A change report is required under the applicable public trust framework when there is a change in trusteeship, including the expiry of a term, the removal of a trustee or the appointment of a new one.
The challenge to Mistry’s standing is part of a wider dispute over governance and trustee appointments at Tata’s philanthropic institutions.
Dispute over Noel Tata’s proposed appointment
A separate disagreement concerns Noel Tata’s proposed appointment as reporting trustee of the Bai Hirabai Jamsetji Tata Navsari Charitable Institution.
The application seeks to replace , whose term expired on August 14, 2026, with .
Mistry has objected to the proposed appointment, arguing that it must comply with Clauses 6 and 18 of the trust deed dated December 7, 1923. These clauses stipulate that trustees must be practising Zoroastrians belonging to the Parsi community.
He has asked the Charity Commissioner to direct Noel Tata to submit an affidavit confirming that he meets the eligibility criteria specified in the trust deed.
Tata Trusts seeks more time to respond to Mistry’s complaint
Thursday’s proceedings also featured a dispute over a request by Sir Ratan Tata Trust for additional time to respond to Mistry’s separate complaint against the trust.
According to NDTV Profit, SRTT cited Charity Commissioner orders dated May 15 and May 18, 2026, issued under Section 36A(1) of the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act in complaints filed by Katyayani Agrawal and .
The orders directed that no trust meeting be held until the inspector’s inquiry report was submitted. SRTT argued that the orders remained in force and sought an adjournment until the complaints were finally disposed of.
Mistry’s lawyers opposed the request, accusing the trust of delaying the proceedings. They argued that SRTT had previously sought an adjournment on September 8, citing the need for trustee substitution, but was now relying on the May orders.
They also maintained that filing a reply to Mistry’s objections would not itself amount to a decision on the trust’s administration, management or composition, and could proceed despite the earlier orders.
SRTT’s lawyers disputed Mistry’s account, alleging that it contained factual misstatements and saying they would respond to the claims.
The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for November 5.