MES founder’s kin moves Charity Commissioner opposing Nusli Wadia’s move to take control of Society

Mumbai | Pune 14 May, 2018: Dilip Sadashiv Joag, grandson of the founder of Modern Education Society (MES) which runs several educational institutions of repute in Mumbai and Pune including the D G Ruparel College of Arts, Science and Commerce in Mumbai has moved the Charity Commissioner’s Office opposing the scheme proposed by Nusli Wadia, Business Tycoon and chief trustee, to re-constitute and manage the Society.

Wadia had filed an application in Charity Commissioner’s office last year seeking to frame a new scheme alleging that a copy of the constitution of the Society is not authenticated, a charge vehemently denied by the opponents who are the members of Board of Life Members of the MES Society.

Modern Education Society (MES) runs five colleges in Pune and two in Mumbai. These are Nowrusjee Wadia College of Arts and Science (Pune), Ness Wadia College of Commerce (Pune), Cusrow Wadia Institute of Technology (Pune), Neville Wadia Institute of Management and Research Studies (Pune), MES College of Engineering (Pune), D G Ruparel College of Arts and Science (Mumbai) and New Law College (Mumbai).

In a written plea before the Deputy Charity Commissioner, Pune, Joag has alleged that the scheme proposed by Wadia attempts to change the entire structure, management and administration of MES so as to take overall control of the affairs of the Society in his and his family’s hands allegedly for their own benefits.

Joag has further alleged that MES has over the years acquired large number of properties and set up educational institutions which he alleged that Wadia wants to usurp and gain control of them. However, Wadia has argued before the Charity Commissioner that he is proposing a new scheme only to streamline the administration of the Society.

Joag argued that merely because the existing scheme (constitution) copy is not available with the Charity Commissioner’s office and merely because the existing scheme is being observed in breach by the Trustees, it is not necessary to frame a new scheme. The approved scheme is in place and MES is acting on it since last 86 years and hence it cannot be argued by Wadia that there are certain anomalies in the existing scheme.

Joag, who is also an academician, has intervened in this case contending that he is doing this in the interest of teachers, larger public interest and to safeguard the sanctity and integrity of the educational institution i.e. MES.

Wadia has alleged that life members of the Society have virtually usurped all the powers and are trying to sidetrack the other members and particularly the Board of Life Members.
In the new scheme, Wadia has proposed that he would be first Permanent Chief trustee to hold the office of the Society and his sons Ness Wadia and Jehangir Wadia shall be the permanent Trustees. They shall hold the office for life or until they voluntarily resign. Further, if Wadia resigns then he shall have the exclusive powers to either appoint one or more of the existing permanent trustees (i.e. his sons) or any other person as the Chief Trustee in his place.

The new scheme also envisages that subject to section 36 of Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, in case of urgency or legal necessity, the Board of Trustees, with written consent of President in writing, will have the authority to sell, mortgage, alienate, exchange or gift any immovable property of the Society.
The scheme further proposes that Wadia shall be the President of the Society for life and he may take any decision pertaining to the affairs of the society.
Joag’s application for intervening in the matter was today filed recently with the Charity commissioner’s office which will hear all parties before deciding whether to allow it or reject it.