Attempts for a settlement between Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia seem to have failed as the actress is in no mood to compromise with her former boyfriend and business partner.
Three attempts were reportedly made by a renowned industrialist, who is close to both the parties, a former Central government minister and a famous advocate to settle the matter outside court.
In what may spell more trouble for industrialist Ness Wadia, Jai Kanojia has admitted to seeing Preity being grabbed by the Bombay Dyeing heir.
“The statement of Jai Kanojia was today recorded and some more witnesses will be called in the next few days,” said a senior police official privy to the investigation on Thursday.
“In his statement, Kanojia, who was in Garware pavilion with the two, stated that he saw Ness grabbing Preity’s arm but could not hear their conversation due to the noise of spectators during the match.”
It is now being speculated that the Preity-Ness case has a long history of animosity attached to it, as the two were earlier in a relationship, which ended on a rather sour note.
So far, Ness has over 32 witnesses in favour of him. But the Bombay Dyeing tycoon may be summoned by the Mumbai Police soon.
With this, investigators have so far recorded the statements of nine witnesses, including Indian Premier League COO Sundar Raman and BCCI Secretary Sanjay Patel, in connection with the case. Witnesses who have recorded their statement with the Police have confirmed Preity’s allegation.
Preity had lodged a complaint with the Police on June 13 against Wadia, accusing him of public humiliation during an Indian Premiere League (IPL) Match Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings on May 30, at Wankhede Stadium in south Mumbai.
Marine Drive Police registered an FIR against Wadia under IPC Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman).
Crime Branch, on the other hand, is probing the threat phone calls and a text message received by two personal secretaries of Wadia Group on June 16 from a man claiming to be the fugitive gangster Ravi Pujari.
The caller warned that their “business will be in trouble” if the actress is harassed.
