Mumbai, 3rd September 2026: The Tata Trusts are in receipt of the Ld. Charity Commissioner’s Order, Maharashtra State, Mumbai, dated 2nd September 2026 disposing off a complaint received from Mr Vijay Singh, Trustee, Navajbai Ratan Tata Trust (NRTT), vide email dated 10th June, 2026 which sought an inquiry into the transfer of 833 shares of Tata Sons Private Limited from NRTT to Mr Naval H. Tata in 1989.
The Tata Trusts stand vindicated in their assertion that the allegations relating to the transfer of shares were baseless, unsubstantiated and malafide. These were undertaken as part of a wilful, malicious and orchestrated campaign which had, as its sole aim, the objective of discrediting the Tata Trusts- an institution which has, for more than 130 years, served the country and consistently held itself to the highest standards of public trust, accountability and ethical conduct.
Basis detailed findings contained in his Order dated 2nd September, 2026 the Charity Commissioner has closed the complaint received from Mr Vijay Singh.
The Ld. Charity Commissioner observed that Mr. Vijay Singh not making his email available to the Trust, as pointed out by NRTT in their response, indicates an intention “on his part to suppress this from the other Trustees and the Trust as a whole. This action on his part has resulted in damaging the reputation and goodwill of the Trust. In that sense, conduct of Mr. Vijay Singh was unbecoming of a Trustee of NRTT”.
The Ld. Charity Commissioner also expressed surprise that in the Board meeting dated 8th June, 2026 Mr Vijay Singh was a party to the resolution that was passed to represent NRTT's case before the Charity Commissioner and immediately thereafter, on 10th June, he proceeded to file a complaint with the Charity Commissioner demanding an independent inquiry.
The Ld. Charity Commissioner undertook a detailed examination of the issues raised in the complaint, and the response submitted by NRTT thereto, supported by relevant documents. The Ld. Charity Commissioner, concluded, inter alia, that:
a. the sale was necessitated on account of statutory compulsions;
b. the transfer of shares was effected by proper documentation;
c. On the basis of valuation agreed upon by the Commissioner of Wealth Tax, appropriate consideration was paid to the Trust, which also earned a profit on the transaction. This profit was duly reflected in the Balance Sheet of the Trust as on 31st March 1989;
d. The shares were transferred with the condition that they won’t be sold to any third party but would always remain in the family of the recipient, and,
e. The transfer was made in full compliance with the provisions of the law then in force.
The Ld. Charity Commissioner, accordingly, held that given the facts and circumstances of the particular case, no further inquiry under the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, 1950, in relation to the transfer of shares, is warranted.
Established in 1892, the Tata Trusts are India’s oldest and amongst Asia's largest philanthropic institutions. They have played a pioneering role in bringing about an enduring difference in the lives of the communities they serve, advancing equity, resilience, and shared progress. Inspired by the vision of the Founder Jamsetji Tata and guided by a legacy of proactive philanthropy, the Tata Trusts work to catalyse systemic and sustainable change across diverse areas by building institutions, strengthening public systems, and accelerating socio-economic development in a wide variety of areas- healthcare; nutrition; education; water, sanitation and hygiene; urban and rural livelihoods, amongst others. The Trusts build meaningful solutions, bridging tradition and innovation, through collaborations that nurture grassroots efforts, empower change makers, and touch lives across India.
For more information please visit: www.tatatrusts.org
