Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi has become a key legal representative for Tata Trusts as tensions with Tata Sons continue over the company’s leadership and governance.
Tata Trusts has engaged Singhvi to challenge the decision to give N. Chandrasekaran another five-year term as chairman of Tata Sons. The Trusts have also raised concerns over the proposed public listing of the Tata group’s holding company.
Dispute Over Chandrasekaran’s Reappointment
Tata Trusts, which own around 66% of Tata Sons, have questioned the validity of the board decision taken on September 17 to reappoint Chandrasekaran.
The Trusts maintain that the decision did not follow the requirements under Tata Sons’ Articles of Association. The disagreement is linked to the position taken by Trust-nominated director Noel Tata and the use of a casting vote during the board process.
Singhvi Has Earlier Represented Tata Side
Singhvi’s involvement is significant because he previously represented the Tata side during the long-running dispute involving former Tata Sons chairman Cyrus Mistry.
That case reached the Supreme Court, which in 2021 upheld the Tata Sons board’s decision to remove Mistry. The proceedings also examined the rights and role of Tata Trusts under Tata Sons’ governing documents.
In the latest dispute, Singhvi is now representing Tata Trusts as they challenge the board’s decision.
Who Is Abhishek Manu Singhvi
Singhvi is a Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court and has handled several prominent cases involving constitutional law, corporate matters, human rights and commercial disputes.
He has also served as Additional Solicitor General of India and is a Congress politician and Rajya Sabha member representing Telangana.
Singhvi is the son of Laxmi Mall Singhvi, a noted jurist, diplomat and former parliamentarian.
Major Cases
Over his legal career, Singhvi has appeared in several important cases.
He represented Naveen Jindal in the National Flag case, where the Supreme Court recognised the right to fly the national flag as part of freedom of expression, subject to reasonable restrictions.
He has also been involved in the DK Basu case concerning safeguards against custodial violence and has appeared in litigation related to Jallikattu and animal welfare.
Singhvi has represented major telecom companies, including Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular, in disputes involving spectrum, licences and revenue-sharing matters.
Role in High Profile Political Cases
Singhvi has represented several senior political leaders in legal proceedings. His work has included matters connected with the National Herald case and the criminal defamation case involving Rahul Gandhi.
He has also appeared in major proceedings concerning the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and its bail provisions.
New Legal Battle for Tata Trusts
The latest Tata dispute centres on the validity of Chandrasekaran’s reappointment, the rights of Tata Trusts, the interpretation of Tata Sons’ Articles of Association and the proposed listing of Tata Sons.
Singhvi has described his involvement in the matter as something he entered with “sadness and regret”, referring to his association with the late Ratan Tata.
His move from representing the Tata side in the earlier Mistry dispute to representing Tata Trusts in the current matter adds another significant chapter to the long-running governance debate within the Tata group.
