The former chairman of the Tata group, Cyrus Mistry, was killed on Sunday in a road crash in Palghar near Mumbai. He was 54.
According to the police, a Mercedes car hit a bulkhead near Charoti on a bridge at about 3:15 pm. There were four individuals in the vehicle, of which two died instantly, including Mistry. The other deceased person has been identified as Jahangir Binshah Pandole. Those injured — identified as Anahita Pandole, a top doctor at Breach Candy Hospital, and Darius Pandora, the managing director and CEO of JM Financial Private Equity — have been shifted to a hospital.
Mistry was traveling from Ahmedabad to Mumbai. According to Palghar Police Superintendent (SP) Balasaheb Patil, Anahita Pandole was driving at the time of the incident.
Mistry is survived by his wife and two sons. One of his close family friends said that Mistry’s family members were abroad for a function.
On learning about the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “The untimely demise of Shri Cyrus Mistry is shocking. He was a promising business leader who believed in India’s economic prowess. His passing away is a big loss to the world of commerce and industry. Condolences to his family and friends. May his soul rest in peace.”
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed his shock and said: “Mistry was not only a successful industrialist but a young and future-oriented individual too. We have lost a talented industrialist. His death is not only a loss for the Mistry family but India’s industrial sector as well. My heartfelt condolences on his demise.”
Tata sons chairman N Chandrasekaran said: “I am deeply saddened by the sudden and untimely demise of Cyrus Mistry. He was passionate about life and, tragically, he died at such a young age. I extend my deepest condolences to her family during these difficult times.”
Cyrus Pallonji Mistry came to prominence when he was selected to lead Tata Sons following Ratan Tata’s resignation in 2012. He was appointed president based on his representation of Shapoorji Palonji Group, Tata Sons’ biggest shareholder.
He joined the board of directors of Tata Sons in 2006 after his father, Pallonji Mistry, construction magnate and chairman of the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, retired.
On 24 October 2016, the Board of Directors of Tata Sons (a group holding company) voted to withdraw Mistry from the position of President.
