The Delhi High Court has taken up the case concerning Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra’s request to visit her pet Rottweiler, Henry. The dog is currently under the care of her former partner, advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai. Justice Jasmeet Singh announced that the court will deliver a decision on the matter next week, following unsuccessful attempts by Moitra and Dehadrai to come to a mutual arrangement regarding visitation rights.
Previously, on July 7, Justice Singh encouraged both parties to find an amicable solution that would allow Moitra to spend time with Henry. He had proposed, “What’s the problem? Let her meet for one hour in the park. I’ll appoint a local commissioner who’ll take the dog and bring it back to you. Give them five hours a week, and that’s it.”
During the recent hearing, when Justice Singh inquired if Dehadrai’s legal counsel, Senior Advocate Percival Billimoria, agreed to the proposed visitation rights, Billimoria firmly rejected the notion. He cited reasons related to concerns over criminal intimidation, stating, “There’s a reason. There’s a very good reason. In the interest of a dog, please allow me to explain. There was an attempt to threaten me. The SHO of Barakhamba Road police station visited me along with five constables and said he would register an FIR against me… This is a case of criminal intimidation, first of all.”
Senior Advocate Shyel Trehan, representing Moitra, countered by noting that the complaint mentioned had already been withdrawn. Despite this, Billimoria maintained his stance, prompting Justice Singh to schedule a detailed hearing to consider both sides before making a final decision.
The court is addressing separate petitions filed by both Moitra and Dehadrai. Moitra seeks to overturn a trial court’s decision denying her interim custody of Henry for 10 days each month. Conversely, Dehadrai’s petition challenges the trial court’s refusal to dismiss Moitra’s request for shared custody.
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This case is the latest in a series of legal confrontations between Moitra and Dehadrai, which have been ongoing for several years. Separately, Dehadrai has accused Moitra of accepting bribes from businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for raising specific questions in Parliament. These allegations were echoed by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who lodged a complaint with the Lok Sabha Speaker. Subsequently, the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee recommended Moitra’s removal from Parliament, leading to her expulsion on December 8, 2023.
Moitra has consistently denied these accusations, claiming they are politically motivated. She asserts that her association with Hiranandani is purely personal and refutes any quid pro quo arrangements.
