Mumbai Police today said they will collect CCTV footage and other "evidence" on allegations of molestation and abuse levelled by Bollywood actress Preity Zinta against her former boyfriend and businessman Ness Wadia, who termed the charges as "false and baseless". The 39-year-old actress, who jointly owns Kings XI Punjab IPL cricket team with Wadia, has filed a police complaint on Thursday night at Marine Drive Police station against him alleging that he molested, abused and threatened her inside Wankhede stadium in south Mumbai on May 30.
As the case came under intense media spotlight, Zinta said her intention was "not to harm any one but only to protect my self" and requested privacy. The actress and the businessman had broken off their five-year-long relationship a couple of years back. "I am shocked at the complaint and the allegations made against me are totally false and baseless," Wadia said in a statement.
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Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria said that "offence has been registered. We are trying to collect evidence like the statements of those involved and CCTV footage". Zinta filed the police complaint alleging that she was molested by Wadia (44) inside Wankhede stadium on May 30.
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On that day, an IPL match between Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings was played in the stadium. She gave a written complaint following which an FIR was registered 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 the peace), 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) and 509 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), according to police station officials. "This is a very difficult time for me and I would like to request the media to please respect my privacy regarding this matter. My intention is not to harm any one but only to protect my self," Zinta said ina statement here today.
Also, the State Women's Commission gave a 24-hour ultimatum to Mumbai police to produce the accused in court. "A woman was publicly misbehaved with... it is a non-bailable offence.... We have given an ultimatum to the Mumbai police to take action against the accused and produce him in court," said State Women's Commission member Chitra Wagh.
Wagh also told media persons that police have assured her that they are gathering evidence and action will be initiated in 24 hours.
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