Following the death of business titan Ratan Tata, it has been revealed that Tata left several of his most prized possessions, including three valuable firearms and his Alibaug beachfront property, to his trusted confidant and longtime friend Mehli Mistry, according to a Times report. of India. The move underscores Tata’s close bond with Mistry, a businessman who was a staunch ally and supportive figure during Tata’s final years.

Who is Mehli Mistry?

Mehli Mistry is a businessman and former close associate of Ratan Tata. He is a first cousin of the late Cyrus Mistry, but was notably supportive of Tata, including during the removal of Cyrus Mistry as chairman of Tata Sons in 2016. Mehli also looked after Tata in his later years.

Mistry, who secured a position on the board of Tata’s two key philanthropic entities – the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust – has long shared a connection with Tata, which began when the two were neighbors in the Bakhtawar building in Colaba, Bombay. Their friendship lasted for decades, even when Tata moved to his residence in Halekai after retiring as chairman of the Tata Group in 2012.

Tata’s three guns

According to the TOI report, the three firearms – a pistol, a shotgun and a rifle – were rarely used by Tata, despite being one of the first gun license holders in India. Sources told TOI that these weapons were important to Tata, not only as possessions, but also as symbols of his bonds with those closest to him.

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Each firearm carries a unique heritage: one was a gift from the late Sumant Moolgaokar, former chairman of Tata Motors and hunting enthusiast; another belonged to Tata’s father, Naval Tata; and the third was a bequest from JRD Tata, the longest-serving chairman of the Tata group. In his will, Tata transferred these heirlooms to Mistry, who now must obtain a firearms license to legally retain them.

India’s firearms regulations stipulate that permitted weapons must be used for clear purposes such as self-defense, sport or ornamental use, with a limit on the number of firearms permitted per individual. Sources suggest that Mistry will likely register the guns as ornamental, in which case police would deactivate the firing pins, rendering the guns unusable.

Apart from guns, Tata’s iconic Alibaug property is now also owned by Mistry. The Legacy highlights a unique personal chapter in Tata’s legacy, showcasing the value he placed on friendship and the transfer of his most prized possessions to someone he trusted implicitly.

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