Ness Wadia sentenced to jail in Japan for possessing drugs
Ness Wadia, the flamboyant Indian businessman, was sentenced to two years of prison in Japan for allegedly possessing drugs, claimed Financial Times. The 47-year-old was on a skiing vacation to Japan when 25g of what appeared to be cannabis resin was found inside his trouser pocket. Ness was arrested in early March at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, a Japanese island. Here's what happened.
Ness said the drugs were for his 'personal use'
Ness had gone to visit Niseko, which has gained immense popularity among skiers in Asia. At the airport, sniffer dogs pointed custom officials towards him, and after a thorough search, drugs were seized. Ness admitted possessing drugs and argued that it was for his "personal use". Notably, Japan has tightened its grip around narcotics ahead of 2019's Rugby World Cup and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Reportedly, Ness has returned to India from Japan
Before his indictment on March 20, Ness spent some time in detention. The Sapporo District Court sentenced him to two years imprisonment, which was suspended for five years. Ness, it was reported, has returned to India from Japan.
Ness is the scion of one of India's richest families
Ness is the heir of 283-year-old Wadia Group and also partly owns IPL's Kings XI Punjab team. The son of Nusli (whose personal wealth was calculated at $6.9 billion by Forbes ) and Maureen Wadia, Ness took over the reins of Bombay Dyeing in 2001 as joint managing director. Ten years later, he stepped down to make way for his younger brother Jehangir.
Ness' relationship with Preity landed him in court
Ness is widely seen as the more flamboyant sibling. He had a four-year-long relationship with actress Preity Zinta, which ended bitterly in 2014. Preity accused Ness of molestation and went to the police. In September 2018, Bombay High Court asked both parties to "finish the case". When Ness suggested settling the matter, Preity's lawyer said she would follow suit only if he apologized.
