In an apparent reference to Ratan Tata, Mistry also made a case for decision-making to be not concentrated in a single individual, saying conferment of all power in one man or a "high command" is unethical and a breach of trust.
Reaching out to shareholders of six Tata group firms, where promoters have called EGMs to remove him from their boards, Mistry said, "The Tata Group is no one's personal fiefdom: it does not belong to any individual, not to the trustees of Tata Trusts, not to the Tata Sons directors, and not to the directors of the operating companies.
In his letter to shareholders ahead of the EGM to remove him from the group's crown jewel TCS on December 13, Mistry questioned why no reasons were cited for his dismissal and wondered if this was another case of Ratan Tata's arbitrary functioning.
"The impression sought to be created was that there was something unspeakable underlying his inexplicable and unreasonable conduct. More importantly, the signal was that Ratan Tata had an absolute right to do as he willed without having to explain himself to anyone," Mistry said.
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"The conferment of all decision-making power in one man or a 'high command' among them is unethical, improper and a breach of trust. It is critical that serious decisions of severe magnitude and consequence are not taken whimsically, without much thought, or for unstated collateral objectives," said Mistry, whose family owns 18.4 per cent in Tata Sons.
It can be noted that over the last 40 days, Mistry has made pointed accusations like entering the aviation business, usage of corporate jets and lack of judgement in investments which had to be written-off.
"It is necessary to have a strong method of checks and balances in the trustees' decisions, particularly if decisions they take could indirectly give them personal benefits," he said in the letter.
Stating that his attempts to effect reform in the group's working were cut short with his abrupt dismissal on October 24, Mistry pitched for government intervention in the matter.
Mistry expressed fears of the vision of the Tata founders being "under threat" unless governance reforms are initiated.
Stating that two directors had abstained during the vote on his dismissal, Mistry underlined that those who voted him out included three nominee directors of Tata Trusts and three newly-inducted directors, who had sat only for one such meeting previously.
He further alleged that two of the three new directors were inducted on the recommendation of Ratan Tata.
"This demonstrated lack of independent judgement, and disregard of their fiduciary duty, betraying the confidence reposed in them by the stakeholders," Mistry said in the letter to the over two million minority shareholders of the conglomerate.
"In their capacity as trustees of Tata Trusts, they took the veto rights of the trustee-nominated directors as their entitlement to dictate to these directors how Tata Sons should conduct itself," he said.
"In the view of these trustees, the board of Tata Sons was answerable to them and through the trustee-nominated directors, they could not only call for such information but also dictate what decisions must be taken by Tata Sons," said Mistry.
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Listing out a slew of instances in the recent past, Mistry alleged that there was "collapse" of governance at Tata Sons and Tata Trusts.
These include the action against Bombay Dyeing's Nusli Wadia for speaking up against misconduct, collapse of the move to have a productivity-based wage agreement at Tata Motors, Tata Motors' independent directors being disallowed to air their views, etc.
Asserting that his association with the Tatas has been a matter of pride so far, Mistry reiterated that he took up the post of chairman of Tata Sons after being assured of a free hand by Ratan Tata.
Mistry said his four-year chairmanship was "highly satisfying and rewarding", but reiterated the need to repair the "breakdowns" in governance.
"Without governance reforms, without checks and balances and without accountability for conduct of the trustees, serious value erosion for you as members of your company is inexorable. There is a crying need to reclaim the glory of the Tata Group," he said.
"I urge all you to think beyond the here and now. I urge you to have your voice heard loud and clear. I ask you to be a part of defining the future," Mistry concluded.