Shapoorji and Cyrus Mistry's SP Group issued a statement: "Time to separate." In the wake of earlier reports of Tata Sons offering to buy out its largest private shareholder, Mistry's assertion has been termed the "divorce" that would end a four-year-long acrimony between the sparring partners. Pundits have given deep thought on how this separation can be executed. However, it will be difficult if not impossible to shake off the century-long association of the SP Group and
Tata Group. This latest declaration still feels more like a break, not yet a divorce.

The reason is simple. SP Group still does not want to sell its 18.4 per cent stake in Tata Sons and the Tata Group will find it as challenging to buy the shares now, as it did four years ago when Cyrus Mistry was fired from his chairmanship of Tata Sons. The new turn comes because the SP Group needs fund infusion for its businesses and its biggest parcel of wealth—Tata Sons shares—is locked in legal battle. The Supreme Court recently gave orders that the shares could not be pledged. So, the group has no means to leverage it, but sell. The SP Group's statement can thus be interpreted as a notice for sale.