Noel Tata files caveat in City Civil Court against Venu Srinivasan, Vijay Singh, and other SDTT trustees

MUMBAI: Noel Tata, along with his son Neville, has filed a caveat petition in the Mumbai City Civil Court against the other trustees of the Sir Dorabjee Tata Trust (SDTT), including Venu Srinivasan, Vijay Singh, Darius Khambata, and Bhaskar Bhat.

According to the court website, Noel Tata had approached the court on October 7, 2026.

Also read: Noel Tata, SDTT get until Oct 19 to respond to Venu Srinivasan, Vijay Singh complaint


The filing is part of the same filings in which Tata Trusts, excluding the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT), had filed 84 caveats before the Maharashtra Charity Commissioner under three provisions of the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act - Sections 41D, 41E and 67 - in a move aimed at ensuring they are heard before any orders are passed in matters concerning the trusts.

ET first reported on the same on October 7.

Suruchi Suri, partner at law firm Suri & Co, said that under Section 148A of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC), if any trustee or any other related party wish to approach the court to seek any relief against Noel and Neville Tata, by filing such a caveat they will ensure they are heard before any order is passed should the trustees approach the court for any relief.

“Primarily, the function of the caveat is to ensure that no ex parte ad interim orders are passed without hearing the party expecting a challenge,” said Suri.

The caveat is a preventive measure that will now safeguard both parties' interests, said Vyapak Desai, an independent counsel. “No ex parte order or relief against the caveator shall be passed by the court without an opportunity of hearing being given to the caveator,” said Desai.

The filings come against the backdrop of concerns raised by SDTT trustees Venu Srinivasan and Vijay Singh over Noel Tata's role and authority within the trust structure.

Also read: Tata Trusts rift deepens: Noel Tata-led trustees say 'Trusts do not run Tata Sons' as they defend restructuring plan to avoid listing

Srinivasan has sought scrutiny of Noel Tata's appointment and continued role as a perpetual trustee, as well as the basis on which he assumed and continues to hold the chairmanship of Tata Trusts, according to people familiar with the matter.

He has also sought restrictions on Noel Tata's participation and voting in SDTT decisions relating to the appointment or instructions of Tata Sons nominees, representatives or proxies.

Noel Tata chairs the Tata Trusts, which hold a 66% stake in the group holding company, Tata Sons. Of this, SDTT and SRTT jointly hold a majority 51.54% stake in Tata Sons.