Preity Zinta arrives in Mumbai, police to record her statement soon

Preity Zinta arrives in Mumbai, police to record her statement soon

Actress Preity Zinta arrived in Mumbai from the US on Sunday, more than a week after she filed a case against her former boyfriend and Kings XI Punjab co-owner Ness Wadia for allegedly molesting, threatening and abusing her.

A senior officer supervising the case, lodged with the Marine Drive police, told HT that Zinta came by a Jet Airways flight from London. She was immediately whisked away through a special exit to keep her away from the media which had gathered in large numbers outside the arrival lounge.

The officer said that Preity went to her Khar home straight from the airport. "The investigating officer of the case spoke to her over phone and whenever she agrees to record her statement, it will be done accordingly," the officer said to a question on the recording of her statement. "In all likelihood, it will be done on Monday," the officer added.

Zinta's supplimentary statement holds key to further the probe. The officer said that the witnesses would be identified from her statement and the sequence of events would come to light. She would also be taken to the Garware pavilion at the Wankhade stadium at a later stage to conduct a spot panchnama of the case.

Zinta had said that the incident took place during the IPL match between Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings on May 30, however, she filed the police complaint on June 12.

She has told in the complaint that Wadia first shouted on team staff and then abused her after she intervened. She left for her seat, when Wadia followed her and allegedly pulled her hand and abused her.

The police have sought details from the Kings XI Punjab Chief operating officer (COO) on the players present when the alleged incident took place, a source said. Police are relooking the sections applied in the case. Policemen were on Tuesday instructed by senior officials to go through Zinta’s complaint again and if it is case of 354-D (stalking), then section 354 should be changed to 354-D.

Police have so far collected five CCTV camera feeds and footages. Three of them have been examined so far but it does not show any argument between Zinta and Wadia, an official said.

Zinta had allegedly complained about her former boyfriend Ness Wadia’s behavior to IPL Chief Operating Officer (COO), Sundar Raman twice. Police sources said that Zinta has also verbally communicated about the incident to IPL chairman Ranjit Biswal, who may be questioned on it.