According to reports from Mumbai news sources, Tata Trusts is facing a comprehensive ban on convening board meetings following a directive from the Maharashtra charity commissioner. The order represents a sweeping directive against the dozen-odd Trusts, effectively freezing administrative, management and decision-making capabilities across all Trusts. The restrictions apply to disbursement of grants to social projects and decisions as shareholders of Tata Sons.
As reported by Mumbai news sources, the complainants had sought reconstitution of the Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT) board in line with amended law provisions. The amended law permits only one perpetual trustee instead of the current three. Additionally, complainants requested that decisions taken after September 1, 2025 be treated as invalid. The Trusts are now seeking legal clarifications on these directives and their scope.
According to people familiar with the matter, the Trusts intend to submit legal opinions arguing that the September 2025 amendments to the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act apply prospectively, not retrospectively. This position creates a disagreement with complaints filed by vice-chairman Venu Srinivasan and advocate Katyayani Agrawal. The Trusts are considering multiple options including seeking clarifications from the commissioner's office, approaching the commissioner's office to argue that the order cannot apply as a blanket restraint on all Trusts, or challenging it before the Bombay high court.
