Ratan Tata bequeaths ₹500 crore to mystery man; Who is Mohini Mohan Dutta?

The late Ratan Tata's inner circle of friends was left astonished as his recently unveiled will named a largely unknown figure—Mohini Mohan Dutta—as the recipient of nearly a third of his residual assets, estimated to be worth over ₹500 crore.

As per the report in The Economic Times, the revelation has sparked intense speculation within the Tata family and the broader business community, as Dutta’s connection to the revered industrialist was known only to a select few.

Tata, the former chairman of Tata Sons and one of India’s most respected business leaders, passed away on October 10 in a Mumbai hospital at the age of 86. His passing marked the end of an era, but it is the contents of his will that have now become the subject of speculation. While many of his assets were expected to be distributed among charities, trusts, and known associates, the significant bequest to Dutta has raised eyebrows, ET reported.

Fortune India could not independently verify the details of the report.

Who is Mohini Mohan Dutta?

Dutta, an entrepreneur in the travel industry, is not a complete stranger to those who knew Tata well, but his inclusion in the will—especially with such a substantial share—has led to curiosity about his role in the business magnate’s life. According to sources cited by The Economic Times, Dutta had a longstanding relationship with Tata and was known to certain members of the family.

Hailing from Jamshedpur, Dutta and his family once owned the travel agency Stallion, a business that had deep ties to the Tata Group. In 2013, Stallion merged with Taj Services, a subsidiary of the Taj Group of Hotels. At the time of the merger, Dutta and his family held an 80% stake in the company, while Tata Industries owned the remaining share. Dutta’s daughter also had professional links with the conglomerate, having worked at Taj Hotels until 2015 before moving on to Tata Trusts, where she remained until 2024.

Despite his relatively low profile, Dutta was reportedly invited to Ratan Tata’s birth anniversary celebration in December 2024.

A friendship spanning six decades

Speaking about his connection with Tata, Dutta had revealed in interviews that their bond goes back nearly 60 years. The two first met in Jamshedpur at the Dealers’ Hostel when Tata was just 24 years old. “He helped me out and really built me up,” the report quoted Dutta as saying.

At Tata’s funeral in October, Dutta was present, standing among those who had been closest to the business icon.