Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Abhishek Manu Singhvi: From Tata Defender to Trusts’ Lawyer
Abhishek Manu Singhvi is a senior Indian lawyer and Congress politician.
He is now representing Tata Trusts in a disagreement with Tata Sons.
The Trusts oppose N Chandrasekaran staying chairman for another five years.
They say the decision was not approved according to Tata Sons’ rules.
The Trusts also oppose plans to list Tata Sons publicly.
Singhvi previously represented the Tata side in a legal fight involving former chairman Cyrus Mistry.
He said he entered the new dispute with sadness and regret because of his association with Ratan Tata and people on both sides.
Singhvi has also worked on important cases involving politicians, human rights, companies and constitutional issues.
Abhishek Manu Singhvi is representing Tata Trusts in challenging N Chandrasekaran’s reappointment as Tata Sons chairman.
The Trusts, which own about 66% of Tata Sons, also oppose the proposed public listing of the holding company.
They argue that the September 17 board resolution was invalid because both Trust-nominated directors did not support it as required by Tata Sons’ Articles of Association.
Singhvi previously represented the Tata side in the Tata Sons-Cyrus Mistry dispute, which reached the Supreme Court in 2021.
A senior Supreme Court advocate and Congress politician, Singhvi has handled prominent constitutional, corporate, human-rights and political cases.
- Who
- Abhishek Manu Singhvi is representing Tata Trusts against Tata Sons and its chairman, N Chandrasekaran.
- What
- Tata Trusts are challenging Chandrasekaran’s reappointment and opposing the proposed public listing of Tata Sons.
- When
- The challenged board resolution was passed on September 17; Chandrasekaran was reappointed for another five-year term.
- Where
- The dispute concerns Tata Sons and is being pursued through legal proceedings in India, including the Supreme Court.
- Why
- Tata Trusts say the reappointment lacked the support required from both Trust-nominated directors under Tata Sons’ Articles of Association.
Tata Trusts’ position
Tata Sons’ position
Chandrasekaran’s reappointment
Tata Trusts’ position
Tata Trusts argue that the September 17 board resolution was invalid because it lacked the required support from both Trust-nominated directors.
Tata Sons’ position
Tata Sons’ detailed response is not stated in the articles; the dispute concerns whether Chandrasekaran’s reappointment should stand.
Proposed public listing
Tata Trusts’ position
Tata Trusts argue that existing governance structures should be respected before Tata Sons proceeds with a listing.
Tata Sons’ position
Tata Sons view the listing as important for enhancing corporate governance.
- Current role
- Legal representative for Tata Trusts in their dispute with Tata Sons
- Tata Trusts’ ownership
- About 66% of Tata Sons
- Professional position
- Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court
- Political position
- Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member representing Telangana
- Additional Solicitor General
- India’s youngest Additional Solicitor General in 1997; served from 1997 to 1998
- Earlier Tata case
- Member of the Tata legal team in the Tata Sons-Cyrus Mistry dispute
- Education
- BA in Economics from St Stephen’s College and postgraduate degrees from Trinity College, Cambridge
