In a saga that blends the warmth of a pet's companionship with the cold corridors of political intrigue, the custody of a three-year-old Rottweiler named Henry has ignited a bitter feud between Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai and Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra. At the heart of this tumultuous dispute lies allegations of cash-for-questions in Parliament, accusations, and a dog caught in the crossfire.
Dehadrai's letter to Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora last Thursday has set the stage for this canine custody battle. He claims that Moitra, in an act of vengeance, abducted Henry after he filed a complaint with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) accusing her of accepting cash and gifts in exchange for specific parliamentary questions. Moitra, on the other hand, called Dehadrai a “jilted ex” who wants to get back at her.
The latest twist in this convoluted narrative came on Friday when Dehadrai alleged that Moitra offered to return Henry to him in exchange for withdrawing his CBI complaint. It's a war of words and legal wrangling, with both parties accusing each other of stealing the Rottweiler.
Dehadrai asserts that he purchased Henry for Rs 75,000 in January 2021 from AB Bahuguna and backs up his claim with documented payments. He presents a 'Litter Registration' certificate from the Kennel Club of India, complete with Henry's registration number, barcode, and microchip details. In Dehadrai's words, his relationship with Henry – who is black with distinctive tan markings - is that of a devoted parent.
“My bond with my dog Henry is that of a parent and child. I have looked after him since he was 40 days old, and I understand his every need and concern,” Dehadrai said in his police complaint on October 19.
Dehadrai, in a post on X, claims that an attempt was made to coerce him into dropping his CBI complaint in exchange for Henry.
"An attempt was made yesterday afternoon, to coerce me into withdrawing my CBI complaint and letter to Nishikant Dubey in exchange for Henry. I flatly refused - will give details to CBI. Messenger is totally innocent - but tells you everything about her," posted Dehadrai on X.
Dehadrai has accused Moitra of “deliberately kidnapping” Henry on October 10 with both of their social media timeline flooded with photos Henry.
“I would request you with folded hands and all humility that Henry belongs with his rightful owner-parent. Time is of the essence and I would beseech you to please reunite me with Henry at the earliest…and help me get my dog back,” Dehadrai wrote in another plea to the police.
However, Moitra offers a different account. She alleges that Dehadrai trespassed into her official residence in Delhi and took Henry, only to return him later.
According to Moitra, she initially chose not to take legal action, hoping for a resolution based on their previous friendship. Still, she eventually filed complaints with the Barakhamba police station on two separate occasions in 2023.
Amid this ongoing battle for Henry, the questions about cash-for-questions in Parliament have taken centre stage. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has accused Moitra of accepting "bribes" from a businessman to ask specific questions in Parliament. He has urged Speaker Om Birla to initiate an "inquiry committee" to examine these allegations, presenting "irrefutable" evidence of financial transactions between Moitra and the said businessman.
Darshan Hiranandani, the CEO of the Hiranandani Group, who allegedly paid Moitra to raise questions in Parliament, has stated in a signed affidavit that Moitra targeted Gautam Adani in Parliament to "malign and embarrass" Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Moitra has responded to these allegations, expressing her willingness to answer questions from both the CBI and the Parliament's Ethics Committee if called upon.
''I welcome answering questions to CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) and Ethics Committee (which has absolute majority of BJP members) if and when they call me. I have neither time nor interest to feed a Adani-directed media circus trial or answer BJP trolls,'' Moitra wrote on X.
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