Mumbai, Nov. 6 -- Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT) on Thursday told the Maharashtra charity office that it is unable to respond to allegations raised by former trustee Mehli Mistry because of an existing order from the commission. A counsel for the Trust told Prashant Panditrao Chavan, the assistant charity commissioner, that its "hands were tied" because the May 15 order barred its board from holding meetings. The order will remain in force until the commission's inspector submits an inquiry report. If SRTT files a reply, it will be considered a violation of the previous order, the counsel said. After hearing both sides, the assistant commissioner did not rule in favour of the Trust's plea for an adjournment. The Trust had requested another date of hearing, stating things might get better on the commissioner's order, allowing them to reply after the board meeting. Mistry had alleged irregularities in the administration of SRTT, including the handling of trustees' financial interests and decisions taken by the trust. The board paralysis at SRTT has had wider consequences -- it cannot vote at the Tata Sons AGM nor nominate a joint member for the Tata Sons chairman selection committee. Separately, the commissioner's office also heard related disputes on Thursday before a different assistant commissioner, concerning pleas made against Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT) and Bai Hirabai Jamsetji Tata Navsari Charitable Institution. In three rejoinders, Mistry has raised questions about the administration and functioning of these trusts. Citing Section 30A(1) of the Maharashtra Public Trust Act, 1950, which states that when a trustee's tenure expires, they shall cease to perform functions and discharge duties as a trustee, Mehli raised questions about how Venu Srinivasan voted against his reappointment on October 28, 2025, despite his own tenure having ended on October 23, 2025. "His (Venu Srinivasan) tenure expired on October 23, 2025. He was not reappointed until 12 November 2025.. When Mr Srinivasan cast his vote on 28 October 2025, he performed precisely the function that Section 30A(1) expressly prohibited from performing," stated the rejoinder seen by Mint. In one of the three rejoinders, Mistry also alleged issues with the constitution of Bai Hirabai Jamsetji Tata Navsari Charitable Institution. He questioned the citizenship of Tata Trusts chairman Noel Tata, who holds Irish citizenship and a United Arab Emirates (UAE) Golden Visa. According to Mistry, the provisions require a trustee to practise the Zoroastrian faith, as well as to be a "permanent resident of some place in the Bombay Presidency or Navsari". Tata Trusts, however, maintained that the eligibility restrictions are inconsistent with the original will and codicil and are unenforceable. The Trusts relied on a legal opinion dated March 2000, attributed to former Chief Justice of India MH Kania, to support their position....