Japan’s Path
Japan's enduring economic challenges serve as both a cautionary tale and a beacon of resilience.
Ness Wadia, Kings XI Punjab co-owner and heir to the 283-year-old Wadia Group, has been sentenced to a two-year jail term in Japan for possession of drugs while holidaying in the country.
According to Financial Times, the 47-year-old Wadia was arrested in March in northern Japanese island of Hokkaido for possession of about 25g of what appeared to be cannabis resin in his trouser pocket.
Wadia was on a skiing holiday when sniffer dogs at New Chitose airport alerted customs officials to the drugs.
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According to the report, Wadia admitted to possession during the hearing at Sapporo District Court but also argued that the drug was for his personal use.
The court then handed him a two-year prison sentence, suspended for five years.
The report says that Wadia was indicted on 20 March and spent an undisclosed period of detention before a court hearing.
Drug laws in Japan are very strict and they are being applied tightly especially ahead of the 2020 Olympics.
Wadia is the son of industrialist Nusli Wadia and inheritor of the Wadia empire, which includes Bombay Dyeing, Bombay Burman Trading, biscuit giant Britannia Industries, budget airline GoAir and a share in IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab with the total market valuation of its listed entities standing at $13.1 billion.
Wadia was in 2014 accused by Bollywood actress Preity Zinta of molestation. Zinta, who is a co-owner of the Kings XI IPL team, and Wadia were in a relationship at the time. The actress later withdrew the case.
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