Tata Trusts to Overhaul Governance: Trustees Move to Alter Century-Old Restrictions on Bai Hirabai Trust Eligibility

Tata Trusts announced a significant governance development on Sunday, confirming that the trustees of the Bai Hirabai Trust plan to initiate proceedings before the appropriate authority. The move aims to alter restrictive clauses concerning the eligibility of trustees within the storied institution. Specifically, the trustees seek to modify provisions, such as those prohibiting non-Zoroastrians from serving as trustees.

The decision to amend the trust deed follows escalating internal discussions and public commentary regarding the Trust's composition. This development is particularly notable after Mehli Mistry, a former trustee, filed a complaint questioning the appointments of Venu Srinivasan and Vijay Singh to the board. Mistry challenged these appointments, arguing that the individuals do not satisfy criteria set out in the original trust deed.

Challenging Status Quo and Defining Eligibility​

Mistry’s specific claims centered on the eligibility requirements, including the mandate to practice the Parsi Zoroastrian faith and residency in Mumbai. Separately, Srinivasan had resigned from the Bai Hirabai Trust citing business commitments, though reports later indicated he stepped down at the request of Tata Trusts management.

In a detailed statement, Tata Trusts confirmed that the Board of Trustees met on April 17, 2026, under the Chairmanship of Noel N Tata. During the meeting, the trustees reviewed recent press statements related to the Trust and deliberated on the path forward for governance.

Aligning Trust Values with Modern Ethos​

The trustees issued a clear statement regarding their intention: "In order to correct anomalies in the Trust Deed and to align it with the values that the Tata Trusts have always epitomised, the trustees have decided to adopt proceedings before the appropriate authority for alteration of restrictive clauses in respect of eligibility of trustees."

The Trust emphasized that the Tata ethos remains secular, inclusive, and focused on philanthropy and national service. According to the statement, non-Zoroastrians have been continuously appointed to the Trust since the year 2000, following a legal opinion obtained from a former Chief Justice of India.

Historical Analysis of Trust Deeds​

The trustees noted that the Bai Hirabai Trust was originally created under the 1916 Codicil to the will of Sir Ratan Tata, who passed away in 1918. This 1916 Codicil, the trustees observed, did not impose any restrictions on trustees based on ethnicity, race, or religion.

However, the statement highlighted that the Trust Deed itself, drafted in 1923 by then-trustees, did contain clauses that prohibited non-Zoroastrians from becoming trustees. Tata Trusts asserted that these provisions imposed restrictions not present in Sir Ratan Tata's original Codicil.

Strengthening Institutional Credibility​

Tata Trusts confirmed the continuity of its broader philanthropic mandate. They noted that the objects of the Bai Hirabai Trust were enlarged in 2015 to benefit the general public. Furthermore, the institution affirmed that there are no qualification restrictions for trusteeship across related bodies like the Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT) or the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT).

In addressing administrative leadership, Tata Trusts also reiterated their full confidence in the current Chief Executive Officer, Siddharth Sharma, and his administrative stewardship of the Tata Trusts. The decision marks a significant governance evolution, aiming to ensure the Trust's mandate reflects the modern, inclusive values of the larger Tata Group.

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