New Delhi, Nov. 5 -- Mumbai: 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 15 May 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 reques...