Ratan Tata’s will is making headlines—not just for the vast wealth he left behind but also for who stands to inherit it. Among the named beneficiaries of the late Tata Group patriarch’s wealth is a man little known outside business circles: Mohini Mohan Dutta, who is set to receive over ₹500 crore by some estimates. While Ratan Tata’s legacy was always expected to be one of quiet generosity, even in death he has left the world with one final surprise.CompanyValueChange%ChangeTheir connection, spanning nearly six decades, had remained largely unnoticed. Now, as legal experts and close associates examine the details of Tata’s estate, one question lingers—who was Mohini Mohan Dutta to Ratan Tata, and why did he hold such a special place in the industrialist’s final wishes?Meet Mohini Mohan Dutta
Dutta and his family owned the travel agency Stallion, which was merged with Taj Services of the Taj Group of Hotels in 2013. At the time of the merger, the Dutta family held an 80% stake in Stallion, while the remaining stake belonged to Tata Industries. Dutta has also served as the director of TC Travel Services, an old associate of Thomas Cook.Sources close to Ratan Tata have stated that Dutta was a longtime associate, and even Tata’s family members were aware of their connection. One of Dutta’s two daughters worked at Tata Trusts for nine years until 2024, after previously being employed at Taj Hotels.Mohini Mohan Dutta and Rata Tata: The connectionDutta has long claimed a close association with the Tata family. At Ratan Tata’s funeral in October 2024, he shared with the media that their first meeting took place at the Dealers Hostel in Jamshedpur when Tata was 24 years old. Dutta credited Tata for his support and encouragement, saying they had known each other for nearly 60 years.Dutta was also among the select few invited to Ratan Tata’s birthday celebrations at the NCPA in Mumbai in December 2024.Ratan Tata’s wealth and legacyA significant portion of Ratan Tata’s wealth has been dedicated to charitable causes. His half-sisters, who were also named beneficiaries in his will, have expressed their intention to return their shares to charity. Legal experts are expected to scrutinise the distribution of his estate.In his final years, Ratan Tata established two institutions—the Ratan Tata Endowment Foundation and the Ratan Tata Endowment Trust—to channel his philanthropic contributions. Estimates suggest that he held a direct 0.83% stake in Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, with a total wealth of approximately ₹8,000 crore.Beyond his Tata Sons shares, Tata-owned several luxury cars, including Ferraris and Maseratis, along with valuable paintings, startup investments, and other assets. His private investment firm, RNT Associates, had investments worth ₹186 crore as of the 2023 financial year.(Edited by : Ajay Vaishnav)First Published: Feb 7, 2025 10:10 AM IST
