Preity Zinta Files Molestation Complaint Against Ex-Boyfriend and IPL Team Kings XI Punjab Co-Owner Ness Wadia

Indian film actress Preity Zinta has filed a molestation complaint against her former boyfriend and co-owner of IPL team, Kings XI Punjab, Ness Wadia.

In her complaint, she alleges that the 44-year-old industrialist molested and threatened her in the Garware Pavilion at the Wankhede Stadium in India's commercial capital Mumbai during the play-off between Kings XI Punjab and the Chennai Super Kings on 30 May.

"We have not been talking to each other for awhile. In between, once or twice, we had a few heated arguments regarding work and he tried to abuse me, he also used extremely derogatory language and tried to behave in such a manner where I was put to shame in front of my colleagues, friends and family. I warned him and told him that I was not comfortable with such behaviour," Zinta said in her six-page complaint.

Following Zinta's complaint, the Marine Drive police have reportedly registered a first information report [FIR] against Wadia under IPC [Indian Penal Code] 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 reports, the police are planning to record the statements of IPL CEO Sundar Raman and the Wankhede staff.

"We will be recording the statement of IPL CEO as Zinta has said that after she refused to sit with Wadia, he had screamed at her and the IPL CEO had intervened," an officer involved in the investigation has been quoted as saying.

Police are also planning to scan video footage as part of their investigation.

Zinta, who made her Bollywood debut in the much-acclaimed film Dli Se, said in a statement: "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 anyone but only to protect myself."

The 39-year-old actress also took to her official Facebook account to detail her reasons behind filing the case against Wadia.

Zinta and Wadia were in a five-year relationship before splitting up in 2009. But they still shared a business relationship.

Wadia has dismissed the allegations, saying: "I am shocked at the complaint and the allegations made against me are totally false and baseless."

Director Mahesh Bhatt went on Twitter to react to the development.