Two years after a case of molestation and criminal intimidation was registered against him by actor Preity Zinta, businessman Ness Wadia on Thursday recorded his statement with the police.
In June 2014, Ms. Zinta had approached the Marine Drive police and alleged that Mr. Wadia had verbally abused and manhandled her during an argument at Wankhede stadium at an Indian Premier League match in May that year. Ms. Zinta and Mr. Wadia were earlier in a relationship, and they are co-owners of the Kings XI Punjab franchise.
The police registered a case of outraging a woman’s modesty and criminal intimidation against Mr. Wadia under the Indian Penal Code, and began investigations. According to the police, Mr. Wadia’s statement was the only part of the investigation that had been pending, as all other aspects had been covered over the last two years. Though Mr. Wadia had been called to give his statement more than once, he did not show up, said officials.
Sources said on Thursday evening, Mr. Wadia reached the office of Deputy Commissioner of Police Manoj Kumar Sharma, Zone I, with his lawyer and recorded his statement. “The process lasted over an hour, and Mr. Wadia was largely defending himself,” a police officer told The Hindu .
When contacted, Mr. Sharma confirmed that the statement had been recorded, but declined to go into the details.
The police have so far recorded the statement of Ms. Zinta and several people present at the stadium on the day of the alleged incident. Sources said with Mr. Wadia’s statement being recorded, the police are likely to file a charge sheet.
