Witness saw Ness grab Preity Zinta’s hand, did not hear their conversation

Mumbai, Jun 27: The Marine Drive police on Thursday recorded the statement of the sixth witness in the case filed by Preity Zinta against Ness Wadia, for allegedly abusing and manhandling her, during an IPL match at Wankhede Stadium on May 30.

Businessman Jay Kanojia, whose name was provided by Zinta in her initial statement to the Marine Drive police on June 13, when she filed the complaint, told the police that he saw Wadia grab Zinta, but heard nothing of their conversation.

"Kanojia has confirmed that he saw Wadia grabbing Zinta's hand and pulling her. But he said he could not hear anything of their conversation as he was seated at a distance from where the incident took place," a senior Marine Drive police officer told Mirror.

Kanojia and another businessman, Danish Merchant, had been named as witnesses by Zinta and were summoned by the police immediately after the complaint was filed. But while Merchant got his statement recorded, for some reason Kanojia could not do so earlier.

Apart from the six witnesses whose statements have now been recorded, Zinta, in a supplementary statement, also provided the names of 12 more people. All of them have been issued summons, but are yet to present themselves to get their statements recorded.

Zinta's American friend Gene Goodenough, a key witness, is in the US. He had apparently intervened, asking Wadia to stop when he was abusing Zinta, and had even threatened to hit Wadia if he failed to do so.

Meanwhile, the private television channel which had broadcasting rights, has not yet provided the police with video footage. "We will send them a reminder for the same," the police officer said.

Asked if they will arrest Wadia or summon him for questioning, the officer said that they will first record the statements of all the people named by Zinta, and only then decide on further action in the case.