Tata Trusts files response to Maharashtra Charity Commissioner over trustee complaints

The Sir Dorabji Tata Trust has formally submitted its response to the Maharashtra Charity Commissioner, countering governance and administration complaints filed by two of its vice-chairmen, Venu Srinivasan and Vijay Singh.

The trust filed its reply on 19 October, meeting an extended deadline set by the regulator after an initial date of 12 October was pushed back by seven days. A Tata Trusts spokesperson confirmed the submission had been made.

What the trustees alleged

Srinivasan and Singh lodged their complaints on 25 September, asking the Charity Commissioner to conduct an inquiry into how the trust is run and its level of involvement in commercial matters at Tata Sons. Among their specific grievances was a 16 September circular resolution intended to restrict Srinivasan, who sits on the Tata Sons board as a nominee director for both the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust, from voting on or participating in discussions about a proposed listing of Tata Sons.

The complainants argued that decision-making had become overly concentrated, questioning Noel Tata's status as a perpetual trustee and chairman, alongside the induction of his son, Neville Tata, onto the board. Srinivasan urged the regulator to freeze the trust board pending an inquiry and raised concerns that direct involvement in commercial decisions could imperil the philanthropic entity's tax exemptions.

Trust leadership defends institutional governance

The trust leadership had already rebuffed the claims in an internal response on 5 October, signed by Noel Tata, Neville Tata, Bhaskar Bhat, and Darius Khambata. The signatories questioned calls to freeze meetings or curb circular resolutions, asserting that governance mechanisms remain stable, lawful, and aligned with standard fiduciary duties.

Several trusts, along with Noel Tata and Neville Tata, also lodged caveats before the Charity Commissioner to ensure they receive a hearing before any order is issued. Noel Tata and Neville Tata took an identical precautionary step in the Mumbai City Civil Court on 7 October, naming Srinivasan, Singh, Bhat, and Khambata under Section 148A of the Code of Civil Procedure.

Stakeholdings and board decisions

The dispute surfaced after a Tata Sons board meeting on 17 September, where directors approved a resolution endorsing N Chandrasekaran for a third term as chairman. Srinivasan voted in favour of the reappointment, while Noel Tata opposed it.

Together, the philanthropic trusts hold a controlling majority in the holding company that anchors one of India's most critical industrial groups.

The Charity Commissioner will now review the trust's submission before deciding whether to order an inquiry or dismiss the petition.