Former Tata Sons chairman Cyrus Mistry killed in car crash near Mumbai

Former Tata Sons chairman Cyrus Mistry was killed on Sunday when his car hit a road divider on a bridge in Maharashtra's Palghar district neighbouring Mumbai, a senior police officer said.

Mistry (54) and another person travelling in the Mercedes car were killed on the spot while two others, including the driver, identified as Anayta Pandol, were injured.

Mistry was travelling from Ahmedabad to Mumbai when the accident occurred at around 3:15 PM on the bridge on the Surya river, the officer said.

The accident occurred on the bridge over the Surya river, killing Mistry and another person on the spot while two others have been shifted to Gujarat for further treatment, said Palghar district superintendent of police, Balasaheb Patil.

Four persons, including Mistry, the driver, and two others were travelling in the car.

A Kasa police station officer said the accident occurred at Charoti Naka when Mistry's car hit a road divider on the Surya river and dashed against the retention wall, killing him and another person on the spot.

The bodies of Mistry and Jahangir Pandol have been shifted to the Kasa Rural Hospital for post-mortem.

The police officer said the injured occupants of the car- Anayta Pandol, who was driving the car, and Daryus Pandol- have been shifted to a private hospital in Vapi in Gujarat for treatment.

Palghar Police officer Sachin Navadkar said the local police are carrying out a further investigation.

Palghar Police sources say Prima facie, it looks like the car driver lost control. An Accidental Death Report (ADR) is being filed by the police, as per the procedure.

Mistry, an Irish businessman of Indian origin, was the chairman of Tata Group, an Indian business conglomerate.

Mistry, who was the sixth chairman of Tata Sons, was ousted from the position in October 2016. He had taken over as chairman in December post Ratan Tata’s retirement.

Cyrus became the Tata Sons chairman in 2012, succeeding Ratan Tata. But he was removed four years later in a boardroom coup led by Tata Trusts, which owned 66% of Tata Sons and was controlled by Ratan Tata.

The dispute snowballed with allegations of mismanagement and suppression of minority shareholder rights. The 2021 court ruling in Tata’s favour left burnt bridges between the two families, which had been partners for 70 years.

After his Tata stint, Cyrus went on to set up a venture capital firm, Mistry Ventures LLP.

Several prominent politicians and industrialists tweeted their condolences on Mistry's death.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday condoled the demise of former chairman of Tata Sons Cyrus Mistry and described him as one of the brightest business minds of the country who contributed to India's growth story.

Gandhi said he was saddened by the news of Mistry's death in a road accident and offered his heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

"Saddened by the tragic news of the demise of former chairman of Tata Sons, Cyrus Mistry. He was amongst the brightest business minds of the country, who made a significant contribution to India's growth story. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and admirers," Gandhi said on Twitter.

Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran said, "I am deeply saddened by the sudden and untimely demise of Mr. Cyrus Mistry. He had a passion for life and it is really tragic that he passed away at such a young age. My deepest condolences and prayers for his family in these difficult times."

(With inputs from Santoshee Gulabkali Mishra)