Ratan Tata’s Aide Mohini Dutta Inherits INR 588 Crore in Will Dispute Twist

According to a media report, Mohini Mohan Dutta, a former director of the Taj chain of hotels and a close friend of Ratan Tata, has accepted the conditions of the late businessman's will. A third of Tata's remaining estate, valued at approximately INR 588 crore, was left to Dutta.

 The executors of Tata's will can proceed with obtaining probate from the Bombay High Court now that Mohini Dutta's approval is on file. Out of over two dozen recipients, Dutta, 77, was the only one to voice concerns about the value of his share.

Ratan Tata's half-sisters, Deanna Jejeebhoy, 70, and Shireen Jejeebhoy, 72, have been awarded the remaining two-thirds of his residual assets, excluding real estate and stock interests. Additionally, both women are acting as the will's executors.

Reason Behind Dutta’s Acceptance

Dutta could not legally contest the will, even though he had argued with the executors over the amount of his inheritance. According to the report, a no-contest clause prevented any recipient from contesting its terms for fear of losing their claim.

On March 27, the executors submitted a petition to probate the will. Later, the Bombay High Court ordered them to release a public notice asking any non-consenting legal heirs to object. They also filed an originating summons on April 9, which is a legal procedure used to handle issues pertaining to the will and its beneficiaries.

The only recipient outside the Tata family to receive such a substantial portion is Dutta. He was refused entry to Tata's Halekai home in Colaba, where he had attempted to examine a number of priceless things that had been given to him, including a Ganesh idol.

According to the article, all of Tata's personal belongings are currently in the hands of the executors. Since inheritances are not taxable in India, Dutta won't be subject to estate tax after the court granted probate.

Dutta Shares a Firm Personal and Professional Bond with Ratan Tata

For more than 60 years, Dutta and Ratan Tata had a close personal and business relationship. He remembered meeting Tata when he was 13 and Tata was 25 at the Dealers Hostel in Jamshedpur.

Afterwards, Dutta relocated to Mumbai and took up residence in Tata's Bakhtawar home in Colaba. Regarding Tata's impact on his life, Dutta has stated, "He really built me up." Before starting Stallion Travel Services in 1986 with assistance from Tata Industries, Dutta started his career at the Taj travel desk.

After Stallion and a Taj Hotels subsidiary combined in 2006, Dutta was named a director of the new company, Inditravel. He rose to become one of the Taj Group's highest-paid CEOs.

The travel company was acquired by Tata Capital in 2015, and then in 2017 Thomas Cook India purchased it. Until the company was merged with Thomas Cook in 2019, Dutta remained on the board.