Mumbai, 5th June 2026: This statement is being issued in respect of the baseless, unsubstantiated and malafide allegations regarding a share transfer made by the Navajbai Ratan Tata Trust (NRTT) to the late Mr. Naval H. Tata in the year 1989.
The Tata Trusts would like to state that any suggestion of impropriety on the part of either the Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT), NRTT, or any of the parties to the transaction, is categorically denied. It is affirmed that the transaction was lawful, undertaken for consideration, and fully compliant with the rules in force at that point of time. It was cleared at the appropriate levels, including by the late Mr. Nani A. Palkhivala, one of the country’s most distinguished lawyers, and approved by the then Board of Tata Sons. The transfer of shares was effected on a valid transfer form duly stamped by the Registrar of Companies.
We are constrained to highlight that the intention of such unfounded and malicious allegations appears to be to tarnish the reputation of the Tata Trusts as a whole, and SRTT, in particular. These allegations also seek to taint the Tata family, including the late Mr. Naval H. Tata and his sons, the late Mr. Ratan N. Tata, Mr. Jimmy Tata and Mr. Noel N. Tata.
It is pertinent to note that these allegations are being made by persons who have no proven locus standi in the matter. The petitioner, Mr. Suresh Tulsiram Patilkhede, is a serial litigator who has in the past (2020) filed several cases against the Tata Trusts without any locus and with an apparent objective of disrupting the philanthropic activities and functioning of the Tata Trusts. In a recent writ petition (WP(L) No. 16647 OF 2026) filed by him against SRTT, the High Court of Judicature, Bombay took strong objection to his conduct and in their Order observed, “We are constrained to observe that the petition as filed brings to the fore, a rather shocking state of affairs……. What is disturbing is that such representations are not made on behalf of the petitioner but by some other / third party whose details also are not known to the Court neither have been disclosed in this petition filed before this Court.” The Court having expressed its displeasure permitted the petitioner to withdraw the said petition.
It is apparent that these allegations, despite the absence of any factual basis, point to a wilful, malicious and orchestrated campaign being undertaken with the sole objective of discrediting the Tata Trusts – an institution that has served this country for over 130 years and has consistently upheld the highest standards of public trust, accountability and ethical conduct.
The Tata Trusts categorically refute these baseless allegations and shall be pursuing appropriate legal remedies to safeguard their goodwill and reputation.