Following the Maharashtra charity commissioner's original order, the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT), Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT) and Tata Education and Development Trust had all cancelled their scheduled board meetings. As reported by The Times of India, Commissioner Amogh Kaloti clarified that his order freezing board meetings applies only to Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT) and not to other Tata trusts, providing significant relief to the Noel Tata-headed philanthropic group. The commissioner explained that due to inadvertence, the term 'Tata Trusts' was used instead of the specific name 'Sir Ratan Tata Trust.'
The complaints alleged that perpetual trustees account for 50% of SRTT's board, double the 25% cap set by September 2025 amendments to the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act. According to The Times of India, Agrawal had also argued that decisions taken by SRTT after the law was amended were liable to be treated as invalid. The Trusts contest the perpetual trustee issue, saying the amendments apply prospectively and do not affect appointments made before September 1, 2025. A separate representation by advocate Katyayini Agrawal stated that SRTT violated an amended Maharashtra ordinance that capped the number of life-term trustees and required urgent corrective action.
Tata Trusts chairman Noel Tata deferred a decision on N Chandrasekaran's reappointment for a third term at the February 24 board meeting, despite earlier unanimous resolutions passed by SRTT and SDTT approving a fresh term for Chandrasekaran. As reported by officials close to the matter, Chandrasekaran is expected to make a detailed presentation to the full board over losses at Air India and newer ventures such as BigBasket, besides addressing other concerns raised by Tata. The breakdown in communication between Tata Trusts and Tata Sons has begun to weigh on decision-making at the group holding company, delaying key appointments and slowing discussions around several strategic matters concerning new businesses.
The strain in engagement between the two principal power centres of the group is understood to have contributed to delays in senior-level hires, board-related decisions and broader organisational moves at a time when the conglomerate is navigating leadership transitions and preparing for its next phase of growth. Chandrasekaran's second term ends in February 2027, and there is growing speculation that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may mandate a listing of Tata Sons, a development that would require Tata Sons and Tata Trusts to separately deliberate the matter. While Noel Tata deferred the decision, Vijay Singh and Venu Srinivasan have maintained that earlier unanimous resolutions passed by SRTT and SDTT approving a fresh term for Chandrasekaran remain valid and have neither been withdrawn nor reviewed.
