MUMBAI: Tata Trusts is weighing its options in response to the Maharashtra charity commissioner’s order restraining it from convening board meetings — including seeking clarifications on the directive, 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.People familiar with the matter said the order amounted to a sweeping directive against the dozen-odd Trusts, effectively freezing administrative, management and decisions the Trusts may need to take — whether on disbursement of grants to social projects or as shareholders of Tata Sons. They said the directions should have been confined to the prayers sought by the complainants and restricted to Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT), pending submission of the inquiry report.The complainants had sought reconstitution of the SRTT board in line with the amended law, which permits only one perpetual trustee instead of the current three, and that decisions taken after September 1, 2025 be treated as invalid. The Trusts intend to submit legal opinions arguing that the Sept 2025 amendments to the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act apply prospectively, not retrospectively — a position at odds with complaints filed by vice-chairman Venu Srinivasan and advocate Katyayani Agrawal. Trusts collectively own 66% of Tata Sons, with SRTT holding 24%. Tata Sons is expected to hold a board meeting next month.The commissioner ordered the Trusts not to convene any board meetings until completion of the inquiry, warning that interim decisions relating to the administration, management or composition of the Trusts could lead to “further complications and multiplicity of proceedings.” Trusts subsequently cancelled meetings that were to cover their nominees on the Tata Sons board and comments by some trustees, including Srinivasan, supporting a potential IPO.
