New Delhi: Ness Wadia, chairman of the Bombay Burmah Group and co-owner of Kings XI Punjab cricket team, has been sentenced to a two-year jail term in Japan for drug possession while on a skiing holiday, the Financial Times reported.

Wadia, the eldest son of Nusli Wadia and heir to the 283-year-old Wadia Group, was arrested at a Japanese airport in early March after custom officials found about 25 gm cannabis resin in his trouser pocket.

According to the report, Wadia has admitted to possession, saying that the drug was for his personal use.

An email to Wadia's office from Business Standard remained unanswered.

Wadia spent a period in detention before his indictment on March 20. He was awarded a two-year prison sentence by a district court in Japan. The sentence was suspended for five years.

Wadia also serves as director on the boards of various Wadia Group companies such as Britannia Industries, Bombay Dyeing, GoAir and Wadia Techno Engineering Services.

Wadia Group responds:

In a statement sent out to Indian media houses on Tuesday morning, the Wadia Group said that it was a suspended sentence that the judgement would not impact Ness Wadia while discharging his responsibilities.

"Ness Wadia will continue to play the role that he has done hitherto, both within the Group and outside," said the group in a statement.

This article was first published on Business Standard. Read the original here. 

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.