Gere, Shetty Could Be Arrested In India
Reports Say Indian Court has Issued Warrants Over Public Kiss
NEW DELHI, April 26, 2007 | by none

Gere's Risky Kiss In India
Some conservative Indian groups protested and called Richard Gere's open display of affection toward Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty at an HIV/AIDS awareness event "vulgar public behaviour." | Share/Embed
(AP) An Indian court issued arrest warrants for Hollywood actor Richard Gere and Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty on Thursday for kissing at a public function, according to media reports.
Judge Dinesh Gupta issued the warrants in the northwestern city of Jaipur after a local citizen filed a complaint charging that the public display of affection, which he called an "an obscene act," offended local sensibilities, the Press Trust of India news agency reported.
Last week Gupta subpoenaed television footage of the event.
Such cases against celebrities, often filed by publicity seekers, are common in conservative India. They add to a backlog of legal cases that has nearly crippled the country's judicial system.
It was not immediately clear how the warrant would affect Gere, a frequent visitor to India.
Under Indian law a person convicted of public obscenity faces up to three months in prison, a fine or both.Photos: Culture Clash
Last week, crowds in several Indian cities burned effigies of Gere, 57, after he wrapped the 31-year-old Shetty in his arms and kissed her several times on her cheeks during an HIV/AIDS awareness event in the Indian capital.
Photographs of the clinch were then splashed across front pages in India where public displays of affection are largely taboo.
The event's organizer, Parmeshwar Godrej, called the controversy a distraction from more important issues.
"It has detracted from and undermined the value and success of the event, which was concerned with creating AIDS awareness and promoting AIDS prevention among truck drivers," CNN-IBN quoted her as saying.
Shetty has said the embrace was not obscene and that the media should instead focus on HIV/AIDS awareness.
Shetty, already well-known in India, became an international star after her appearance on the British reality show "Celebrity Big Brother" another controversial public appearance. A fellow contestant, Jade Goody, sparked international headlines by making allegedly racist comments to Shetty. Mobs took to the streets of India to denounce Goody, and Shetty went on to win the competition.
Gere's screen credits include "Chicago," "Pretty Woman" and "An Officer and a Gentleman."
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Former NFL Quarterback McNair KilledNashville Police Found McNair, Woman Shot to Death; Circumstances Unclear
E-Mail Story
Print Story
Sphere
Share


Back To Top
U.S. Global Military Efforts
Day In Pictures
"Transformers" Triumph At The Box Office
Comments [ + Post Your Own ]
Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not CBS News stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.
...I'm thinking, the doctors must have forgotten to remove that gerbil
If they want to behave like the beasts, then let them go to the forests!
read your post again. you've come to the conclusion after just 2 shaky premises. that alone should be testament to your abundent intelligence.
i can only laugh at the stupidity of morons like you. i wish i could laugh louder but i'm surrounded by genuinely pasty american morons like you at work here. :)
And these are the folks taking our jobs?
Tell them to provide like american public education ,Can they do that no ,tell them to stop copying night pubs and bars which is not Indian culture ...Whats all this...Finally you know these problems wouldnt have arised among the public...they are misuing the innocent people.this comment is a bitter fact...no one will accept