National Commission for Women to probe Preity Zinta case

NEW DELHI: National Commission for Women ( NCW) has decided to take suo motu cognisance of the allegations of Bollywood actress Preity Zinta against her former boyfriend and businessman Ness Wadia, and will conduct a detailed investigation into the case.

"We will take congisance of Preity Zinta's case and conduct a detailed investigation into the matter on our own," NCW chairperson Mamta Sharma said.

"I have got to know through media reports that Preity used to live together with Ness Wadia till 2009. But it doesn't matter. If Wadia did something wrong as what Zinta is alleging, then we will proceed as per findings of our investigation," Sharma said.

The 39-year-old actress, who jointly owns Kings XI Punjab IPL cricket team with Wadia, has filed a complaint on Thursday against Wadia alleging that he molested, abused and threatened her inside Wankhede stadium in south Mumbai on May 30.

Expressing her disapproval, senior Congress leader Shobha Ahuja said that it was not important with whom violence is committed, instead it is important who is committing it.

"There is need to change the mindset of men. We have to give rights to women similar to men. If this mindset is not changed, such incidents will happen even to celeberities and other women working in high posts," Shobha said here.

As the case came under intense media spotlight, Zinta said her intention was "not to harm anyone 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.

Registering the complaint, Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria said they were "trying to collect evidence like the statements of those involved and CCTV footage".