Mistry, the man who had Ratan Tata's trust

Mistry executed Ratan Tata's will and inherited his Alibaug bungalow

- Nehal Chaliawala

Mehli Mistry is soon expected to launch a legal challenge to his ouster from the board of Tata Trusts, according to people close to him.

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Late industrialist Ratan Tata left his heirloom guns to Mehli Mistry, his close confidant for decades.

In the coming battle between Mistry and the trustees of Tata Trusts, guns will be drawn, albeit metaphorically. Mistry, who inherited Tata's Alibaug bungalow and executed his will, was ousted from the boards of Tata Trusts on Wednesday. According to people close to him, the businessman is expected to launch a legal challenge to his ouster soon. The exit marks an abrupt end to Mistry's tenure at the philanthropic trusts that own the majority of Tata Sons, the holding company of the sprawling Tata Group.

Mistry heads the M. Pallonji Group, which has interests in shipping, dredging and auto dealerships. Appointed in November 2022 to the boards of two of the largest Tata Trusts-the Sir Ratan Tata Trust and the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust-he was a staunch ally of Ratan Tata. His appointment was seen as the late Tata Group patriarch entrusting his key allies at the helm of the philanthropic bodies that control the fabled business group.