The Bombay High Court on Wednesday quashed the much-discussed molestation and harassment case filed by the city police based on a complaint by actress Preity Zinta in 2014 against her ex-boyfriend and industrialist Ness Wadia.
A HC division bench of justices Ranjit More and Bharti Dangre quashed the case registered by the Marine Drive police in June 2014, after both Zinta and Wadia along with their lawyers appeared before the judges in their chamber.
Confirming that the case against his client had been quashed, Wadia’s lawyer Aabad Ponda said: "The case against Ness has been quashed. We have been told by the court not to divulge anything more". Zinta's lawyers also refused to spell out details.
At the previous hearing held on October 1, the court had suggested that Wadia and Zinta settle the issue amicably. Zinta's lawyer had said she was willing to settle the matter if Wadia was ready to apologise. Advocate Ponda had then said that his client was ready to bury the hatchet, but he would not apologise.
The alleged incident had taken place at the Wankhede stadium on the evening of May 30, 2014 during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match.
In a formal complaint lodged with the Marine Drive police on June 12, 2014, Zinta had alleged that Wadia grabbed her hand and abused her in full public view at the Wankhede stadium. Later on June 24, the police had recorded the actress’ supplementary statement and through her, recreated the sequence of events involving run-in between her and Ness that took place on May 30.
Zinta and Wadia are co-owners of the IPL team Kings XI Punjab. Among other things, Zinta had alleged that Wadia was abusing the team staff over ticket distribution when she asked him to calm down as their team was winning. Wadia, however, allegedly abused and molested her by grabbing her arm.
Based on Zinta’s complaint, the Marine Drive police had registered a case against Wadia under IPC sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 504 (intentional insult), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 509 (using word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman).
In February this year, the Mumbai Police had filed a charge-sheet in the case against Wadia. Subsequently, Wadia moved the high court seeking to quash the proceedings against him. In his petition, Wadia claimed the case arose out of "personal vengeance" and the incident was merely a "misunderstanding".