Bombay High Court quashes molestation case against Ness Wadia filed by actor Preity Zinta in 2014

The Bombay High Court, on October 10, quashed the molestation case against Ness Wadia filed by actor Preity Zinta. A division bench of Justices Ranjit More and Bharti Dangre heard the petition filed by Ness Wadia who was seeking to quash the case. The two were directed by the bench to appear in the court on Wednesday to "finish off" the matter. The case is now closed. 

In 2014, Bollywood actress Preity Zinta lodged a complaint against ex-boyfriend Ness Wadia alleging her modesty was outraged. In the last hearing of the case, that was filed by Preity Zinta against industrialist Ness Wadia, the court suggested that both the parties resolve the issue in their personal capacity.

Reportedly, Zinta's counsel had informed the court that the actress is willing to drop the case if Ness Wadia was ready to apologise. The lawyer, reportedly, also said that they were not insisting on a written apology. Wadia's counsel Abad Ponda earlier indicates that the industrialist was not ready to apologise. Ponda also said to the court that Preity Zinta wanted to extract an apology and get media attention, as reported. 

Sources close to Ness Wadia said the move is ‘a big relief’ to the IPL team owner who has been battling the charges filed by his ex-girlfriend. Preity Zinta meanwhile showed a thumbs up to reporters outside the Court on Wednesday when asked on her reaction to the developments.

With the case quashed, the 4 year long legal battle has come to an end. The police took four years to file the actual charge-sheet against Ness Wadia (in February 2018) under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code. Ness contested the charges calling them false. 

The 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' actress and the industrialist are the co-owners of the Kings XI Punjab team that is a part of the IPL. Preity Zinta is now married to Gene Goodenough, Senior Vice-President for Finance at NLine Energy, a US-based hydroelectric power company.