A Supreme Court lawyer who lodged a complaint against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, accusing her of bribery, now claims he is facing a serious threat to his life. The lawyer, Jai Anant Dehadrai, has sent a letter to the Delhi Police commissioner alleging that he anticipates such a threat due to his complaint against the MP.
In his letter dated Saturday, Mr. Dehadrai states that he is writing under “extremely distressing circumstances.” He alleges that, on Thursday, a direct attempt was made to coerce him into withdrawing his complaint. Additionally, threats of reputational harm were conveyed to him if he did not agree.
The lawyer highlights the significance of his concerns by noting Ms. Moitra’s history of misusing her influence and political clout to intimidate opponents. He accuses her of trying to “extort” his pet Rottweiler, Henry, by filing two “bogus” complaints against him with the Barakhamba Road Police Station in Delhi. Mr. Dehadrai further claims that the Trinamool MP pressured the police station’s Station House Officer to coerce him into giving up lawful ownership of Henry to her.
When he eventually succumbed to this pressure and handed Henry over to Ms. Moitra on October 4, 2023, she signed a letter unconditionally withdrawing her complaints against Mr. Dehadrai and explicitly asking the police not to take any action against him. This sequence of events has raised concerns about Mr. Dehadrai’s personal safety.
The relationship between the lawyer and the MP has been strained, partly due to their disputes over their pet dog, Henry. Both parties have accused the other of “stealing” Henry, and a custody battle is ongoing. At present, the dog remains with Ms. Moitra.
This situation is complicated by the lawyer’s allegations of bribery against Ms. Moitra and the potential misuse of her political influence. The serious threat to Mr. Dehadrai’s life further underscores the complex nature of this case.
