A recent report published in The Economic Times and Business Today has sent shockwaves across the business community, revealing that a relatively unknown businessman from Jamshedpur, Mohini Mohan Datta, has inherited more than ₹500 crore. This revelation has sparked curiosity and speculation—who exactly is Mohini Mohan Datta? What role did he play in Ratan Tata’s life, and why did he receive the largest personal share in the will of one of India’s most revered industrialists?
The Unlikely Bond: Datta and Tata
Datta first crossed paths with Ratan Tata in the early 1960s at a dealer’s hostel in Jamshedpur. At that time, Tata was a 24-year-old young man trying to carve his path in the vast Tata empire. This encounter proved to be life-changing for Datta, who went on to become one of Tata’s closest confidants.
A Relationship Beyond Business
While some reports suggest that Datta was merely an associate, others claim that he considered himself Ratan Tata’s adopted son. However, Tata’s will and codicil explicitly state that he never married nor legally adopted any children.
During Tata’s funeral in October 2024, Datta reminisced about their first meeting, saying, “We met at the dealer’s hostel in Jamshedpur when he was 24. He helped me and truly shaped my future.”
Datta’s Business Ties with Tata Group
Datta’s professional journey has been closely intertwined with the Tata Group. He began his career with Taj Hotels and later founded Stallion Travel Agency, which merged with Taj Services in 2013. Before being acquired by Tata Capital and eventually sold to Thomas Cook India, Tata Industries held an 80% stake in the business.
He has also served as a director at the rebranded TC Travel Services and holds shares in various Tata Group companies, including Tata Capital.
More Than Just a Business Relationship
Datta’s ties with the Tata family extend beyond business. His daughter started her career at Taj Hotels and later worked with Tata Trusts for nearly a decade. He was also a guest at Ratan Tata’s birth anniversary celebration at Mumbai’s NCPA in December 2024, attended by Tata’s most trusted associates.
What Does Datta’s Family Receive?
Despite his close ties, Datta has expressed dissatisfaction with the will’s provisions. According to the will, he is entitled to one-third of Tata’s residual estate, including bank deposits worth over ₹350 crore and proceeds from the auction of personal belongings like paintings and watches.
A ₹650 Crore Inheritance?
The remaining two-thirds of Tata’s estate goes to his stepsisters, Shirin Jijibhoy and Deanna Jijibhoy, who were among the will’s executors along with Tata Trusts’ trustees Darius Khambata and Mehli Mistry. Reports suggest that Datta expects his total inheritance to amount to around ₹650 crore.
No Mention of Noel Tata
Surprisingly, Ratan Tata’s stepbrother, Noel Tata, and his children are notably absent from the will, while his other sibling, Jimmy Tata, is set to receive ₹50 crore. The will is yet to be formally probated by the Bombay High Court.
As the legal proceedings unfold, all eyes remain on this extraordinary inheritance and the mystery surrounding Mohini Mohan Datta’s deep connection with one of India’s most iconic business leaders.
