Tatas are surprised after Taj directors express full confidence in Cyrus Mistry, may look into authenticity

Tata Sons board as well as Ratan Tata were surprised and shocked after the independent directors of Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL), mainly known as Taj Hotels, backed Cyrus Mistry as their chairman.

In a statement to the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange, six independent directors of the Taj Hotels expressed "full confidence" in Mistry and said it was essential to IHCL investors and the public at large know of their views so that they could take an "informed decision" on its stock.

As per reports, Tatas are going to see whether these directors gave a free and fair view or not.

The Tatas may question them and see if they were not lured by the Shapoorji Pallonji (SP) Group.

The support from the six directors comes as a surprise as Tata Sons Board had removed Mistry as its chairman owing to his lack of vision and inefficiency.

Mistry, scion of the SP Group, has refused to quit the boards of various group companies.

"We would like to know if the independent directors noted this dichotomy and asked Mistry about the allegation that eroded market value," a source told ET.