Days after facing ‘cash for query in Parliament’ allegations, TMC MP Mahua Moitra is embroiled in a fresh controversy as Delhi-based lawyer and Moitra’s former partner Jai Anant Dehadrai has filed a police case against the MP accusing her of theft and illegal retention of their three-year-old pet dog.
There is an ongoing tussle between Moitra and Dehadrai over who gets custody of the three-year-old Rottweiler, Henry. In the last six months, Moitra has filed multiple police complaints against Dehadrai for alleged criminal trespass, theft, vulgar messages and abuse, as per reports.
Dehadrai, who recently filed a police case against Moitra accusing her of theft and illegal retention of the dog, has also alleged a “serious threat to his life” because of the complaint.
The Supreme Court lawyer has also claimed that he is being pressurised to withdraw his complaint by Moitra, in exchange for the custody of Henry.
Who Owns the Dog Henry?
Jai Anant Dehadrai has claimed that he purchased Henry from one AB Bahuguna in Janakpuri in January 2021 for Rs 75,000 and cited proof of the payments.
He has also shown a Kennel Club of India’s ‘Litter Registration’ certificate dated August 24, 2021, which cites Henry’s registration number containing a bar code and microchip details.
“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.
However, Mahua Moitra claims that the dog belongs to her. She has also accused Dehadrai of trespassing into her official residence in Delhi and stealing Henry which was “later returned”. Moitra’s social media timeline is full of her pictures with Henry, showing her deep bond with the dog as well.
However, Dehadrai claimed Moitra “deliberately kidnapped and hidden” Henry away from him since October 10 with the intent to harass and blackmail him.
How are Dogs Registered?
In India, there is no countrywide law regarding the registration of dogs. However, the registration is done by the municipal authorities across different cities in the country.
In recent years, there has been a surge of dog-related incidents which has led to strict laws across cities and states. In cities like Lucknow, there is mandatory registration of dogs with the municipal corporations. But in other cities, there is no such stringent practices and many owners go without registering their pets.
Noida authority has made the registration of pet dogs mandatory and has asked all the owners to register their pets by 31 January, 2023. People can also register their pets online on the Noida Authority Pet Registration (NAPR) mobile phone app. A penalty will be imposed in the case of non-registration.
In Gurugram, the registration of dogs has picked up pace with 300 registrations in a month in January this year. In Ghaziabad, the municipal authority has banned three pet dog breeds: Rottweilers, Pitbulls, and Dogo Argentinos. The residents who already have these breeds are required to get them sterilised within two months.
In Delhi, the registration is mandatory for all pet owners to get their dogs registered with the municipal authority. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) can detain a dog found in a public place if it is unregistered.
Registration Process
There are two rules for registration which include: registration of the dog with the Kennel Club of India and the registration of the dog with the local municipality.
When a person buys a dog from a breeder, they also receive the KCI certificate with a microchip. The owner also has to fill out a form called Transfer of Ownership, which is signed by the breeder, to transfer the ownership to the owner. The form is then submitted to the local KCI to register your new dog. The submission can be made online on the KCI website using a mobile number and login credentials.
In Delhi, the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, Section 399 states that every dog owner should register their pet. The canine registration requirements include annual registration fee of Rs 500 along with documentation including dog’s vaccination proof, its picture and an identity proof stating its address and breed information.
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