Gere, Shetty Could Be Arrested In India

(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.

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Photos: Culture Clash

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Under Indian law a person convicted of public obscenity faces up to three months in prison, a fine or both.

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."

[sero5]

This case is an example of the pervasive corruption of the Indian government. The judge is obviously looking for publicity for himself and trampling on the rights of two people to show basic affection for one another. India is a democracy, and as in any democracy, people will challenge what 'taboos' can be. Public displays of affection is not a crime. If it is a crime then you are not in a democratic country. During my visit to India last December, at each national park I went to, I found plenty of young Indian couples in amorous bliss. Out with the judge in this case and protect freedom of expression.

[billpl-2009]

what an idiot!

...I'm thinking, the doctors must have forgotten to remove that gerbil

[Binoy--2008]

People are just commenting without knowing how system works in countries other than theirs. If you do the same in any middle eastern country, what will happen? If I chat with a 16/17 year old girl, I will go to jail in the US. When I am in the US, I will accept their system. Same thing in India.

[agnim]

Unfortunately, the wheels of justice moves slowly, they should have been arrested and jailed same day.

If they want to behave like the beasts, then let them go to the forests!

[dgshiner]

It gauls me that these people can come to USA and do ***!!!! they want and the minute we step in their country we are stepping on their rules!!! I think he should pull his whole outfit out of India and also stop supporting these folks! They can come to America and do whatever they please and escape now this should stop!

[bgjobs]

brian, those who take your jobs are better thinkers than you're.

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. :)

[briannorwood]

Let's see... pour cow urine on students to protect them, issue arrest warrents for a staged kiss.

And these are the folks taking our jobs?

[buna]

I am so sorry to say this...A mere kiss and these people are making a fuss about this.He would have never done that to a normal woman among the public....She is an Indian celebrity ,If the Indian lawyers are going to sue these people...first they have to sue the bollywood guys who are copy cats of American culture and American movies...most of the stories are copied just like that They copy the costumes its not Indian culture their language ,american style from jazz to hip hop,the stories...are they taking the rights before copying...the big guys like partying like American culture...and they take a note of only these things.Tell them to clean their country's clutters before filing cases on them/May be some big shot in Indian did not get his share from shetty...as she is getting popular.
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