Bombay HC quashes FIR against Ness

Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Wednesday quashed an FIR against industrialist Ness Wadia for allegedly outraging the modesty of Bollywood actress Preity Zinta. The incident between Wadia and his then-girlfriend Zinta had taken place during an IPL match in 2014 at Wankhede Stadium. Following the incident, Zinta had registered an FIR against Wadia at the Marine Drive police station, alleging outraged modesty and criminal intimidation.

A division bench consisting of Justice Ranjit More and Justice Bharati Dangre was hearing a petition filed by Wadia, seeking to have his FIR quashed. In February this year, the Marine Drive police had filed a chargesheet against Wadia in the magistrate court.

In his petition, Wadia had claimed that the cases arose out of personal vengeance and the incident was merely a misunderstanding.

On October 1, the high court had suggested that the duo should settle the issue amicably. They were to court on October 10. Accordingly both were present in the chamber of Justice More’s court at 4.30 pm. Wadia’s lawyer Abad Ponda said, “The case against Ness has been quashed. We have been told by the court not to divulge anything more.”

Earlier, Zinta’s lawyer had said that she was willing to settle the matter if Wadia was ready to apologise. But Wadia’s lawyer Ponda had then said that his client was ready to settle the matter but would not apologise.

According to Zinta’s police complaint, Wadia was abusing the team staff of Kings IX Punjab, an IPL team which she and Wadia co-own. It was regarding ticket distribution and the actress asked Wadia to calm down as their team was winning.

He abused her and molested her as well by grabbing her arm, she  alleged. The FIR against Wadia was lodged on June 13, 2014 under IPC sections 354 outrage modesty of woman and Section 506 criminal intimidation.