Cyrus P. Mistry

Mumbai, (IANS) : The Office of Cyrus Mistry on Friday said it will not be intimidated by a ‘poor tactic’ like criminal defamation to scotch litigation against Tata Sons.

“It is rather odd that a poor tactic like criminal defamation to muzzle litigation has been advised and adopted,” a statement from Mistry’s office said.

“We are not intimidated by these tactics ahead of the NCLAT (National Company Law Appellate Tribunal) hearing. These coercive actions only strengthen our resolve to do the right thing in the long term interest of the Tata Group.”

The development comes a day after Tata Trusts’ Managing Trustee R. Venkataramanan filed a criminal defamation case against Mistry for allegedly making false statements.

Venkataramanan has sought damages worth Rs 500 crore.

The criminal defamation case comes before the July 3, 2017, hearing of an appeal filed by Mistry’s investment firms with NCLAT against orders of the National Company Law Tribunal on the case pertaining to the removal of Mistry as Tata Sons’ Chairman.

On October 24 last year, Tata Sons’ Board ousted Mistry as its Chairman.