New Tata-Mistry war likely after Mehli's Trusts ouster

Three oppose Mistry's renewal as permanent trustee, in departure from consensus

- Varun Sood & Satish John

Tata Trusts chairman Noel Tata and vicechairmen Venu Srinivasan and Vijay Singh have not approved the reappointment of Ratan Tata longtime confidant, Mehli Mistry, as a permanent trustee—setting the stage for a 2016-like battle between the Tatas and ousted Tata Sons chief Cyrus Mistry.

Mistry, a first cousin of Cyrus Mistry, is considering options including challenging the ouster in court, people close to him said, potentially plunging the philanthropic entities that control Tata Sons into uncertainty.

On Tuesday, Noel Tata, TVS Motor Co. chair emeritus Srinivasan, and former defence secretary Singh voted against Mistry's candidature for trustee for life, according to an executive privy to the development.

The three other trusteesformer Citibank India chief executive Pramit Jhaveri, Mumbai lawyer Darius Khambata, and Punebased philanthropist Jehangir H.C. Jehangir-voted in favour.

The split vote marks a sharp departure from the recent consensus-driven approach. Just last week, when Srinivasan was appointed a lifelong trustee, four trustees, led by Mistry, had described the move as a "procedural formality", referring to a unanimous decision in October 2024 to grant themselves permanent positions. Under the Trusts' rules, appointments and removals require unanimous consent.

The opposition to Mistry presents two immediate challenges for Noel Tata: An impending legal battle and a widening divide among trustees.