The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked why Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra and advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai cannot “sit together” and resolve their ongoing dispute over the custody of a pet dog named Henry.
“Why don’t you sit together and sort it out? What relief is she seeking in the suit?” Justice Jain asked, referring to Moitra’s petition for shared custody of the Rottweiler.
Moitra has claimed Henry belongs to her and has sought joint custody, while Dehadrai has maintained that he has been the dog’s guardian since it was 40 days old, making him the rightful caretaker.
Mahua Moitra vs Jai Anant Dehadrai: Political and Legal Dimensions of the case
The legal battle, which began in 2023, has also intersected with political controversy. A complaint filed by Dehadrai led the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee to recommend Moitra’s expulsion from Parliament over allegations of accepting “illegal gratifications” from businessman Darshan Hiranandani to raise questions against the Adani Group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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Moitra has denied all allegations, calling the panel’s recommendation a “pre-fixed match by a kangaroo court.”
Meanwhile, Dehadrai has challenged a trial court order that restrained both parties from publicising the custody case. His counsel, advocate Sanjay Ghose, argued in court that the order violated his freedom of speech. “A frivolous case is filed against me, and I can’t talk about it, I can’t discuss it, I can’t write about it? Where is it necessary to the fairness of the trial? She is an MP. Can an MP claim a higher right over a normal plaintiff?” Ghose asked.
The Delhi High Court has sought Moitra’s response and posted the matter for hearing in December.
Previous Complaints and Allegations
In September 2023, Moitra reportedly filed a police case against Dehadrai and sent senior officers to his house to persuade him to sign a custody agreement for Henry, which he refused. Later, in November, Dehadrai filed a complaint with Delhi Police alleging Moitra was using the pet custody dispute as an excuse to intimidate him, accusing her of “trespassing,” “criminal intimidation,” and “breach of peace” at his residence.
