Mehli K. Mistry, longtime trustee of the Tata Trusts and close associate of late Ratan N. Tata, has formally parted ways with the organisation following a vote that saw his reappointment declined. The move came at a boardroom resolution held on October 28, 2025, when trustees led by Chairman Noel Tata, industrialist Venu Srinivasan, and former Defence Secretary Vijay Singh voted against renewing Mistry's life trusteeship.
On November 4, 2025, a letter addressed to the trustees and Noel Tata, Mistry said it had been his “privilege to serve as a Trustee until 28‑10‑2025”, an honour he described as bestowed by Ratan Tata. He added that his commitment to Ratan Tata’s vision of “ethical governance, quiet philanthropy and utmost integrity” remains undiminished.
Mistry warned that “precipitating matters would cause irreparable harm to the reputation of the Tata Trusts”. He invoked a quote from Ratan Tata: “Nobody is bigger than the institution it serves,” using it to underscore his belief that his departure would help end speculation and internal controversy within the Trusts.
Before submitting his resignation letter, Mistry had made a legal move by filing a caveat with the Maharashtra Charity Commissioner, stipulating that any change in the trusteeship should be supported by a formal hearing under the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act. He contended that the Trusts had not so far filed the mandatory “change report,” and the procedure must allow him to be heard.
The fracas in the boardroom at the Tata Trusts is particularly significant, as the Trusts as a whole hold around 66 % stake in Tata Sons, the holding company of the larger Tata group of companies. The change has raised questions about governance and power dynamics within one of India's most venerable business‐philanthropic institutions.
Noteworthy, too, was Mistry's decision not to contest the Trustees' vote on legal grounds. In his letter, he stated that he would not press for further dispute resolution "for the sake of protecting the institution". This presages an end to the very public standoff that had drawn attention to internal rifts.
With Mistry finally stepping down, attention will turn to how the Trusts move forward under the existing leadership, how trustee appointments will be handled, and if the governance practices will evolve in response to this episode.
For Mistry, the letter represents a graceful exit, rooted in loyalty to Ratan Tata’s ideals and a desire to avoid dragging the Trusts into an extended factional conflict.