Actress Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia, against whom the actress has filed a molestation complaint, had an argument over the arrangement of seats during the Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings IPL match at Wankhede stadium on 30 May.
According to sources, Wadia was celebrating his birthday on the same day and as part of his celebrations, he brought his mother Maureen, his nephew and several of his friends to his box in the Garware Pavilion at the stadium. When Wadia's group arrived, they found that his reserved seats have been taken by Zinta and her associates. Wadia's mother had to wait for a seat for several minutes and this seems to have led to an altercation between the actress and the Bombay Dyeing heir, reported Bangalore Mirror.
On Friday night, Zinta filed a complaint alleging that Wadia molested, abused and threatened her inside the Wankhede stadium during the match. In her complaint, Zinta alleged that Wadia pulled her hand and hurled abuses in front of many people. She also said that Wadia threatened her with dire consequences and also intimidated by saying that he could make her disappear as she was only an actress and he was a powerful person.
Zinta has also told the police that she had lodged a verbal complaint with BCCI officials on the same day of the incident. A BCCI source told the Times of India that Zinta changed her mind after some "officials" pleaded with her. Apparently, the actress decided to file a complaint as soon as the IPL season got over.
Following her molestation complaint, the Marine Drive police registered a case against Wadia under Indian Penal Code's sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman).
On Saturday, the cops acquired the CCTV footage of the recently held Punjab-Chennai cricket match held on 30 May. However, it appears that the cops will not be able to depend much on the footage as sources have revealed that the alleged argument between Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia happened inside corporate box number 56 which does not have a camera, reported CNN IBN.
The police have to rely on the statements of the eyewitnesses. "We are gathering corroborative evidence. We have started recording the statements. As of now we are limiting to Wankhede," DCP Zone 1 Ravindra Shisve," told the TV channel.
Zinya has reportedly named two witnesses to back her molestation charges and the cops are trying to get in touch with those named. The Mumbai Cricket Association has also assured that they will cooperate with the police in the case.
Bodies like National Commission for Women (NCW) have come in support for Zinta. The NCW has decided take suo motu cognizance of Zinta's allegations and will carry out a detailed investigation in the case.
Meanwhile, Wadia has denied the charges against him terming them as false and baseless.
