Jai Anant Dehadrai Withdraws Defamation Case Against Mahua Moitra as 'Peace Offering'

Jai Anant Dehadrai Withdraws Defamation Case Against Mahua Moitra as “Peace Offering”

Lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai on Thursday withdrew his defamation suit against former partner and Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra in the Delhi High Court, describing the move as a “peace offering,” as reported by PTI. The case stemmed from Dehadrai’s explosive allegations in 2023 that Moitra accepted bribes from businessman Darshan Hiranandani, CEO of the Hiranandani Group, in exchange for asking questions in Parliament—a controversy that led to Moitra’s expulsion from the Lok Sabha on December 8.

In retaliation, Moitra had filed a suit against Dehadrai and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, seeking to restrain them from posting or circulating “fake” and “defamatory” statements against her. Earlier this year, Dehadrai also filed a defamation case demanding ₹2 crore in damages, accusing Moitra of launching a “ceaseless campaign of slander and abuse” after he approached the CBI alleging she shared her Lok Sabha login credentials in return for gifts.

At Thursday’s hearing, Dehadrai’s counsel Raghav Awasthi told the court, “If the defendant (Moitra) is also willing to de-escalate and undertake not to make palpably false statements, then the present suit can be withdrawn.”

Justice Prateek Jalan responded positively, saying, “If this is something that can stop the crossfire, it is a welcome suggestion... Maybe personal allegations on both sides can be taken out of the public domain. If there is some possibility of arriving at an agreed protocol of behaviour...” The judge also noted that several related cases were pending between the parties.

Dehadrai, who was present in court, agreed to withdraw the case without conditions. His lawyer, Awasthi, added, “I am willing to withdraw. I will withdraw as a peace offering.” The court accepted the submission and ordered, “The suit is dismissed as withdrawn.”

Filed through advocate Mukesh Sharma, Dehadrai’s petition had claimed Moitra’s statements harmed his reputation and painted him as someone “bitter due to a failed personal relationship” and “filing false complaints out of revenge.”

Separately, BJD MP Pinaki Misra has also initiated legal proceedings against Dehadrai over allegedly defamatory social media posts related to the same “cash-for-query” controversy.