‘Henry Is Safe’: Jai Dehadrai Claims Win In Dog Custody Case Against Mahua Moitra

Supreme Court advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai on Sunday claimed that he had secured the custody of Henry, the Rottweiler at the centre of his long-running dispute with Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, after a Saket district court dismissed an application filed in the custody battle.

In a post on X, Dehadrai said that “Henry is safe – for now” and thanked the Saket District Court for dismissinh what he described as a “ridiculous application” by an individual (referring to Moitra) claiming ownership and custody rights over the pet dog.

He cited the court’s observation that “no prima facie case was found in favour of the plaintiff.”

“Grateful to the District Court Saket for dismissing a ridiculous application filed by a deranged individual claiming

ownership and custody rights over my dog – the Learned Judge has rightly held “no prima facie case in the favour of the plaintiff. Now if only some people would get the damn message, and focus their energies on their tanking political career and their recently acquired geriatric spouse – all would be well in the world. Wishing everyone – including the cretins being investigated and prosecuted by the CBI and the Hon’ble Lokpal – a very happy Sunday,” he said.

Henry is safe – for now.

Grateful to the District Court Saket for dismissing a ridiculous application filed by a deranged individual claiming ownership and custody rights over my dog – the Learned Judge has rightly held “no prima facie case in the favour of the plaintiff.”

Now… pic.twitter.com/k8bGxlYwET

— Jai Anant Dehadrai (@jai_a_dehadrai) November 30, 2025

The custody battle over Henry has been ongoing between Moitra and her former partner since 2023. Dehadari has said that he purchased the dog when it was 40 days old. Moitra has argued that the dog belongs to her and has sought joint custody. The acrimonious dispute emerged after the two—who were reportedly in a relationship—parted ways, coinciding with political turbulence surrounding Moitra following the “cash-for-query” case and her expulsion from the Lok Sabha in 2023.

The dispute escalated legally in September 2025 when Dehadrai challenged a trial court’s March 2025 order restraining both parties from publicising the case, calling it an overly broad “gag order.” The order directed that the proceedings “shall not be publicised in any manner,” following social-media posts by Dehadrai that the court deemed violative of its directives.

The Delhi High Court had sought Moitra’s response to Dehadrai’s plea against the order and asked why the two could not attempt an amicable resolution.

According to a report by Bar and Bench, Justice Manoj Jain asked: “Why don’t you sit together and sort it out? What relief is she seeking in the suit?”

Senior advocate Sanjay Ghose, appearing for Dehadrai, argued that the gag order infringed his client’s freedom of speech, especially when Moitra is seeking shared custody of the dog. He questioned whether an MP could claim “a higher right” to privacy in such proceedings.

Dehadrai’s plea also alleged that the trial court had orally asked him to withdraw his earlier application, prompting him to approach the high court. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on December 22, with fresh notice issued to Moitra after she did not appear despite advance service.