Mehli Mistry steps down as Tata Medical Centre trustee; declines re-election

New business data points to the fact that Mehli K Mistry, a long-time associate of late industrialist Ratan Tata, has stepped down as a trustee of the Tata Medical Centre Trust after deciding not to seek re-election when his current term ends on September 30.

Mistry, whose current term ends on September 30, informed Arun Pattatheyil, Chief Executive Officer of Tata Medical Centre, of his decision in an email dated September 15. He stated he did not wish to stand for re-election and asked that his decision not to renew his trusteeship be kept on record.

"I would like to inform you that my term ends as a Trustee of Tata Medical Centre on 30th September, 2026. I do not wish to stand for re-election and would request that this mail, not to renew my term, is kept on record," Mistry stated in the email.

The email was additionally marked to Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata and trustees Vijay Singh, Darius J Khambata, Leah Tata, Maya Tata and Neville Tata.

The Tata Medical Centre Trust, based in Kolkata, runs the 436-bed Tata Medical Centre, a not-for-earnings tertiary cancer hospital. The centre provides cancer treatment at affordable costs and additionally undertakes screening, early detection, prevention, rehabilitation and palliative care.

Mistry's decision comes amid a series of changes in his association with Tata-linked trusts and firms.

In July 2026, Mistry resigned as a director of RNT Associates Private Limited, the investment firm founded by Ratan Tata to manage his personal investments. The firm manages an investment portfolio worth more than Rs 1,000 crore and holds stakes in firms including Ola Electric and Urban Firm.

His resignation from RNT Associates followed his decision to step down as a trustee of the Ratan Tata Endowment Trust and the Ratan Tata Endowment Foundation. With the trusteeships changing hands under Ratan Tata's will, the directorship of RNT Associates was additionally transferred to the new trustees.

Mistry’s departure from the main Tata Trusts came in October 2025. His reappointment to the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust was not approved, despite an earlier resolution under which he was to be reappointed as a lifetime trustee.

Mistry had additionally filed a pre-emptive caveat before the Maharashtra Charity Commissioner seeking a hearing before any changes were made to the list of trustees.

He subsequently described his departure as a parting in the spirit of Ratan Tata, saying his commitment to the late industrialist’s vision included ensuring that the Tata Trusts were not drawn into controversy. He urged the trustees to be guided by transparency, good governance and public interest.

Mistry continued to stay associated with the Tata Education and Development Trust, an allied philanthropic trust under the Sir Ratan Tata Trust.

His latest decision now brings his trusteeship of the Tata Medical Centre Trust to an end when his present term expires on September 30.