Tata Trusts says Charity Commissioner directed deferment of May 16 board meeting

Officials said the directions issued by the Charity Commissioner are currently being examined by the Trust. PIC/ X

Tata Trusts on Friday said it received an email forwarding directions issued by the Charity Commissioner, Maharashtra State, asking the Board of Trustees to defer its meeting scheduled for Saturday.

Trust alleges direction issued without notice or hearing

In a statement, Tata Trusts said the direction was issued ex parte and claimed that no notice or hearing was given to the Sir Ratan Tata Trust before the order was passed.

Complaint challenges composition of Board of Trustees

According to the statement, the complaint filed by Katyayani Agrawal pertains to the composition of the Board of Trustees of the Sir Ratan Tata Trust.

The complaint alleges that three out of the six trustees are permanent trustees, which is in violation of Section 30A(2) of the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, 1950, introduced through the Maharashtra Public Trusts (Second) Amendment Act, 2025.

The amended provision states that perpetual or life trustees should not exceed one-fourth of the total number of trustees of a public trust.

Tata Trusts says amendment is prospective in nature

Tata Trusts maintained that the amendment is prospective and does not affect appointments of perpetual trustees made before it came into force on September 1, 2025. The Trust said this interpretation is supported by legal opinions and clarifications obtained by it.

Bombay High Court had disposed plea on May 13

The statement further noted that the Bombay High Court on May 13, 2026 disposed of a related writ petition as withdrawn. The petition had sought directions restraining the same Board meeting on the basis of the complaint filed by Katyayani Agrawal.

Trust says unaware of complaint by Venu Srinivasan

Tata Trusts also stated that the Sir Ratan Tata Trust was unaware of any complaint filed by trustee Venu Srinivasan until it received directions from the Charity Commissioner's office.

The Trust added that Srinivasan had earlier acknowledged notices for both the original Board meeting scheduled for May 8 and the rescheduled meeting on May 16.

Officials said the directions issued by the Charity Commissioner are currently being examined by the Trust.