New Delhi, Sept. 24 -- After eleven months of simmering tensions, differences flared at the Tata Trusts boardroom this month, forcing the exit of a Tata Trusts nominee from the Tata Sons board.

Vijay Singh was removed as a director of Tata Sons at a tense Tata Trusts board meeting on 11 September, said two executives directly aware of the matter, citing the minutes of the meeting. Four out of seven trustees opposed his continuation at the Tata Group investment vehicle, which sits at the head of over 100 companies, forming India's largest conglomerate.

The voting and ouster of Singh marks a unique development at Tata Trusts, India's largest group of philanthropic entities where decisions are typically made by consensus. Singh, a former d...