Trustees of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust met on Monday in what sources described as largely a stock-taking exercise ahead of the Tata Sons board meeting scheduled for Friday.
Among the matters discussed were presentations made last month by the heads of several Tata group companies. Tata Trusts chairman Noel Tata has been seeking greater clarity on the strategy for the group’s loss-making businesses and the roadmap for turning them profitable. He has also sought more detailed explanations on the group’s newer ventures and the rationale behind the substantial investments being made in them.
Monday’s meeting took place against the backdrop of growing scrutiny over the governance of the Tata Trusts. The Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT) is facing allegations of violating provisions of the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, while an inquiry by the Maharashtra Charity Commissioner into the composition of the Trusts’ board of trustees is currently underway. An order in the matter is awaited.
In May, the Charity Commissioner’s office directed the Trusts to defer a board meeting pending completion of the inquiry. The complainants have alleged that the board had appointed more permanent trustees than permitted under the law.
Sources said the trustees discussed the allegations, the Charity Commissioner’s directive and the Trusts’ response to the issues raised.
Separately, former trustee Mehli Mistry has once again approached the Maharashtra Charity Commissioner, filing an objection to a change report submitted by the Sir Ratan Tata Trust. In the filing, submitted on Friday, Mistry alleged governance lapses, conflicts of interest and breaches of fiduciary duty by certain trustees of the Tata Trusts.
The objection focuses largely on commissions and remuneration allegedly received by trustees who serve as nominee directors on the boards of Tata group companies.
Meanwhile, the board of the Tata Education and Development Trust also met on Monday. Sources described the discussions at that meeting as routine.
Published on June 8, 2026
