The Hidden Heir: How Mohini Mohan Dutta Landed a ₹500 Crore Fortune in Ratan Tata’s Will

Ratan Tata’s will has left many stunned, as a significant ₹500 crore portion of his estate is set to go to Mohini Mohan Dutta—a name unfamiliar to most. With deep but little-known ties to the Tata empire, Dutta’s inheritance raises questions about his connection with the late industrialist. As legal scrutiny looms, the mystery surrounding Tata’s final wishes continues to unfold.

CONTENTS:

• Ratan Tata’s Will: A ₹500 Crore Bequest to Mohini Mohan Dutta Raises Questions
• Mohini Mohan Dutta: The Enigmatic Beneficiary of Ratan Tata’s Rs 500 Crore

The Hidden Heir: How Mohini Mohan Dutta Landed a ₹500 Crore Fortune in Ratan Tata’s Will

Ratan Tata’s Will: A ₹500 Crore Bequest to Mohini Mohan Dutta Raises Questions

The Hidden Heir: How Mohini Mohan Dutta Landed a ₹500 Crore Fortune Ratan Tata’s will has surprised many, as it reveals that a third of his residual assets—estimated at over ₹500 crore—has been bequeathed to Mohini Mohan Dutta, a relatively unknown associate from Jamshedpur. The remainder of his wealth has been dedicated to charitable causes, with his half-sisters also expressing interest in donating their shares. Legal experts predict scrutiny over the estate’s distribution.

Dutta, an entrepreneur in the travel industry, previously owned Stallion, a travel agency that merged with Taj Services in 2013. He also served as a director at TC Travel Services, an affiliate of Thomas Cook. While he was known in Ratan Tata’s close circles, his inclusion in the will has surprised many within the Tata family.

Dutta, who first met Ratan Tata in Jamshedpur when Tata was 24, has claimed a long-standing personal and professional relationship with him. He was also invited to Tata’s birth anniversary celebration in December 2024.

The majority of Ratan Tata’s wealth has been directed toward charitable causes through entities like the Ratan Tata Endowment Foundation and Ratan Tata Endowment Trust. While his net worth was estimated at ₹8,000 crore, sources suggest it could be significantly higher, factoring in his shares in Tata Sons, luxury cars, expensive artworks, and startup investments.

The will’s execution requires probate certification from the High Court, a process that could take up to six months.

Mohini Mohan Dutta: The Enigmatic Beneficiary of Ratan Tata’s Rs 500 Crore

The Hidden Heir: How Mohini Mohan Dutta Landed a ₹500 Crore Fortune Late business tycoon Ratan Tata, who passed away on October 9, 2024, left nearly a third of his residual assets—valued at Rs 500 crore—to Mohini Mohan Dutta, a relatively unknown figure outside Tata’s close circles. While the will designates Mr. Dutta as one of the beneficiaries, the distribution of assets requires probate certification from the High Court, a process expected to take at least six months.

Who is Mohini Mohan Dutta?

The Hidden Heir: How Mohini Mohan Dutta Landed a ₹500 Crore Fortune A Jamshedpur-based entrepreneur, Dutta co-owned the travel agency Stallion, which later merged with Tata Services. Before the merger, he held an 80% stake in the company, with Tata Industries owning the remaining 20%.

Dutta revealed that he first met Ratan Tata at the Dealers’ Hostel in Jamshedpur when he was 24 years old. Though he was not widely recognized before his inclusion in the will, Tata Group insiders say he often described himself as being close to the Tata family. Speaking to the media in the past, Dutta shared that Tata played a significant role in shaping his career and life.

Having maintained a nearly six-decade association with Ratan Tata, Dutta was also an invitee to Tata’s birth anniversary celebrations at NCPA in Mumbai in December 2024—a gathering attended only by close associates and family members. Additionally, his daughter was employed at Taj Hotels until 2015 before joining Tata Trusts, where she worked until 2024, according to Fortune.

Ratan Tata’s Will

The Hidden Heir: How Mohini Mohan Dutta Landed a ₹500 Crore Fortune Made public approximately two weeks after his passing, Tata’s will allocated wealth among several beneficiaries, including his brother, half-sisters, long-time staff, and executive assistant Shantanu Naidu. Notably, Tata also made provisions for the lifelong care of his pet dog, Tito.

His assets included a beach bungalow in Alibaug, a two-storey house in Juhu, fixed deposits exceeding Rs 350 crore, and a stake in Tata Sons, which was transferred to the Ratan Tata Endowment Trust.