5 Times IPL franchises were involved in the controversy

3. Preity Zinta accusing Ness Wadia of abuse and molestation in IPL 2014

When Preity Zinta filed a complaint against Ness Wadia on June 13, 2014 accusing him of molestation, threats and abuse, the nation was shocked. According to a report in India Today, the incident dates back to May 30, 2014 during the game between Kings XI Punjab (Preity and Wadia were the co-owners of the franchise) and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Wankhede Stadium.

Ness Wadia was allegedly abusing the team staff over the ticket distribution issue. At the same time, when Preity who was sitting in the Garware pavilion, asked him to calm down, Wadia manhandled her be grabbing her arm and also abused her. Rather Preity also submitted four photographs to the police to support which showed bruise marks on her right arms.

On May 30, 2014 Preity Zinta also claimed that Ness Wadia had also threatened her by stating that she was only an actress and nobody else. “Mr Ness Wadia had intimidated me by saying that he could make me disappear as I was a nobody and only an actress and he’s a powerful person… I have tried to be very normal and nice to him as I wanted peace in my life, but the recent afore-stated incident in Mumbai at the Wankhede stadium has left me shattered and fear for my life,” she alleged.

Four years after the complaint was filed, in February 2018, the Mumbai Police filed a chargesheet against Ness Wadia 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.