Mumbai: Preity Zinta landed in Mumbai before noon but is not going to record her statement on Sunday. She arrived from the US via London on a BA (British Airways) flight and is likely to record her statement on Monday or Tuesday said sources.
The police had called her to return to the city as her statement needs to be taken on her FIR against former boyfriend Ness Wadia filed on June 13 at the Marine Drive police station.
The venue of the place where her statement will be recorded has not yet been fixed by the police. The venue is not likely to be the police station. Under the law, the police need not call a woman complainant or a woman witness, to the police station to record her statement. They can record it at her place of residence.
The FIR accused Ness of using foul language towards her during an IPL match at Wankhede stadium in the city on May 30. She also accused him of pulling her hand and calling her abusive names "for no reason".
Zinta then left for the US for a holiday where her relatives reside.
Police chief Rakesh Maria spoke to the actress on Wednesday asking her to cooperate and return so that her statement as the complainant is recorded.
The statement will form the basis of further police probe into the matter. "We will take further action once Zinta's statement is recorded. We have to see the sequence of events too," said Maria.
Zinta's lawyer Hitesh Jain had on Wednesday dismissed as "speculation" reports in certain sections of the media about her selling off her stakes in the IPL franchise.
She has no intention to sell or alienate herself from the franchise which is doing well said a source close to her.
The Mumbai police had yesterday recorded the statement of BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel in connection with the case.
Meanwhile, police are also probing the threat calls received by the secretary of Ness' father, Nusli Wadia, allegedly from fugitive gangster Ravi Pujari.
Offences and punishments in this caseThe police registered an FIR under section 354 Indian Penal Code for molestation.
The offence: Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty.
Punishment: Impris-onment of up to two years, or fine, or both.
Section 504 IPCThe offence: Intentionally insulting someone with the intention to provoke breach of public peace.
Punishment: Imprisonment up to two years or fine or both.
Section 506 IPCOffence: Criminally intimidating someone.
Punishment: Imprisonment up to two years or fine or both.
Section 509 IPCOffence: Use of words or gestures with an intention to insult, offend a woman or invade her privacy.
Punishment: Imprisonment of up to one year or fine or both.