As Noel Tata, the half-brother of Ratan Tata, has appointed as the Chairman of the all powerful Tata Trusts on last Friday, it is almost curtains for Mehli Mistry to head the Tata Trusts. Mistry was regarded as the close confidant of Ratan Tata, the late Chairman emeritus of Tata group. After the demise of Ratan Tata, there were strong rumours in the corporate world of India as well as in the corridors of power that Mehli Mistry became the head of Tata Trusts. Mehli is the estranged first cousin of former Tata Group chairperson, late Cyrus Mistry. A director of the Meherji Pallonji Group, Mehli Mistry was appointed as a non-executive trustee of the Sir Ratan Tata Trust, its allied Tata Education and Development Trust and the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust in November 2022. Those were the days when Ratan Tata was all powerful in Tata Trusts. Mehli Mistry is the first cousin of the late Cyrus Mistry.
It may be recalled that Mehli Mistry was solidly behind Ratan Tata when he ( Ratan Tata) removed Cyrus Mistry as chairman of Tata Sons in 2016. The acrimonious spat between Ratan Tata and Cyrus Mistry created a tremendous amount of media attention. Mehli Mistry's name also surfaced during the acrimonious dispute between Ratan Tata and Cyrus Mistry. Some says that Mehli Mistry allegedly played a behind-the-scenes role in orchestrating tensions that eventually led to Cyrus Mistry’s removal from the Tata House. When Ratan Tata and Cyrus Mistry were on loggerheads, Mehli Mistry was supporting the cause of Ratan Tata. He was attacking Cyrus Mistry from all the possible fronts. That strengthened their ties.
According to Tata group watchers, Mehli Mistry's role within the Trusts has increased significantly in recent years. Therefore, his name was in the air to become head of Tata trusts. However, he lost the race.
Despite being a frontrunner to lead the Tata trusts, Mehli Mistry could not become the head of Tata Trusts. It is said that Noel Tata appointed to the top post on a unanimous decision.
Noel Tata’s formidable reputation as a successful and non-controversial businessman played a decisive role in his selection as the head of Tata Trusts. He began his career at Tata International, the Tata Group's arm for the products and services offered abroad. In June 1999, he became the managing director of the Group's retail arm Trent, which was founded by his mother. By this time, Trent had acquired the department store Littlewoods International and changed its name to Westside. Tata developed Westside, turning it into a profitable venture. In 2003, he was appointed the director of Titan Industries and of Voltas.
On the other hand, Mehli Mistry was facing even some serious allegations in the business dealings. One major controversy involves Mehli Mistry’s business dealings with Tata Power with allegations being that his firm had been awarded lucrative long-term dredging and shipping contracts by Tata Power without going through the proper tender process. However, Mehli Mistry has always denied these allegations.
Even Tata Sons has refuted allegations that Mehli Mistry and associates benefited from contracts allegedly awarded to him by Tata Power without competitive bidding.
Mehli Mistry has been a director of the Meharji Pallonji Group.
Mehli’s mother and Cyrus’s mother are sisters, while their fathers are also first cousins.
Mehil Mistry, however, said that the allegation that he was behind the ouster of Cyrus Mistry from head of Tata Sons was untrue. Mehli Mistry was accused of calling Cyrus Mistry a weak leader during the tumultuous boardroom battle that followed Cyrus’s ousting. This comment reflected the deep animosity between Mehli and Cyrus.
Cyrus Mistry’s family, through their holding company Shapoorji Pallonji, owns an 18.37% stake in Tata Sons, making them the second-largest shareholder after Tata Trusts. Well, the spat between Mehli Mistry and Cyrus Mistry was not just a personal fallout but a public and legal battle that unfolded within the Tata Group, resulting in years of litigation and bad blood.
Mehli’s alleged role in this feud raises questions about his suitability to lead Tata Trusts, particularly given the bitter history between him and the Mistry family. Even though they were such close relatives, yet they were not on talking terms.
With Noel Tata now leading Tata Trusts, there is a hope that a new chapter of reconciliation within the Tata-Mistry family would start. There is a sense of optimism that Noel Tata's able leadership would heal lingering wounds from the past. Noel Tata is married to Aloo Mistry, daughter of the late Pallonji Mistry and sister of the late Cyrus Mistry. The couple has three children: daughters Leah and Maya, and son Neville
Meanwhile, there is a question mark on the future role for Mehli Mistry in Tata group despite his deep ties with Ratan Tata and experience within the Tata Trusts. As Ratan Tata is not around, there is a ‘future tense’ so far as Mehil Mistry’s is considered.
Tata group watchers say that while it is true that Mehli Mistry was very close to Ratan Tata, he was certainly not a material to head the Tata Trusts. If he was made the boss of Tata Trusts, it would have give very bad message to
Mistry, a sworn enemy of Cyrus Mistry was made the head of Tata Trusts. Moreover, Mehli’s appointment further alienate the
Mistry family from Tata group. It is a well-known fact that it is a key stakeholder in Tata group companies.
Finally, as Tata group would move forward under the watchful eyes of Noel Tata, one hopes that it would grow thick and fast.

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