Delhi High Court says it will decide whether Mahua Moitra can visit pet Rottweiler Henry

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday said that it will decide whether Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament (MP) Mahua Moitra can visit pet Rottweiler dog Henry, which is currently with her former boyfriend, advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai.

Justice Jasmeet Singh said he will hear the matter next week. This was after Moitra and Dehdrai failed to reach an arrangement over the former visiting Henry.

The Court had on July 7 asked the two parties to explore an arrangement under which Moitra can meet Henry. 

“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. I am keeping it tomorrow. Give them five hours a week, and that’s it,” Justice Singh had said on July 7. 

When the case was taken up for hearing today, Justice Singh asked Dehadrai’s counsel, Senior Advocate Percival Billimoria, if they were agreeable to the visitation rights. 

“The question doesn’t arise. That’s my case,” Billimoria responded. 

He added, 

“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Senior Advocate Shyel Trehan, appearing for Moitra, said the complaint has already been withdrawn. 

The Court asked Bilimoria whether he was agreeable to an arrangement.

“Lordship, there is a reason. If I may…” Bilimoria tried to explain. 

However, the Bench said it would hear both sides and decide the matter. The Court listed the case for further proceedings next week.

The Court was hearing cases filed by Moitra and Dehadrai.

While Moitra has approached the High Court against the trial court's order refusing to grant her Henry's interim custody for 10 days every month, Dehadrai's plea challenges the trial court's decision to dismiss his petition to reject Moitra's plea for shared custody of the dog.

Dehadrai and Moitra have been engaged in a series of legal battles for the past few years.

Dehadrai had earlier alleged that Moitra accepted bribes from businessman Darshan Hiranandani for asking questions in Parliament. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey also filed a complaint with the Lok Sabha Speaker about the same.

Based on these allegations, the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee suggested Moitra’s removal from the lower house, following which she was expelled from the parliament on December 8, 2023.

Moitra had rebuffed the allegations saying that that Hiranandani is her friend and there has been no quid pro quo. She said that allegations are part of political vendetta.