Date:27/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/27/stories/2007042702230900.htm

National

Arrest warrant for Richard Gere

Special Correspondent

JAIPUR : A city court here issued an arrest warrant against Hollywood actor Richard Gere on Thursday and asked film actress Shilpa Shetty to appear before it on May 5 in connection with a case of kissing in public. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Dinesh Gupta gave the orders on a complaint filed by a lawyer that the two actors kissed at an AIDS awareness campaign event in New Delhi recently and this amounted to ``indecent representation of sexual activities'' at a public place.

Both Richard Gere and Shilpa Shetty have been named accused under Sections 294 (doing obscene act at public place) and 34 (act done in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. The offence is punishable with three months' imprisonment, a fine or both and is bailable.

The Magistrate, who subpoenaed video footage of the episode last week, observed that the demeanour of the two actors was ``highly sexually erotic'' and ``transgressed all limits of decency with the potential to corrupt society.'' The court cited complainant Poonam Chand Bhandari's contention that Shilpa Shetty's attitude was ``cooperative'' and that she did not resist. The court felt that Shilpa Shetty was involved in an unlawful action that ``denigrated Indian culture, traditions and social values and offended people's sensibilities.''

Pointing out that Richard Gere was a foreigner and could leave India any time, Mr. Gupta directed the Superintendent of Police (headquarter), Jaipur, to arrest him immediately and produce him in the court. As for Shilpa Shetty, the court requested a Metropolitan Magistrate in Mumbai to serve the summons to ensure her presence on May 5.

Richard Gere had taken the film actress in his arms and kissed her several times on the cheek at the AIDS awareness programme. The incident sparked protests in some parts of the country.

However, Shilpa Shetty insisted that the kiss was not obscene, though it might have gone a little overboard. Richard Gere was only enacting a scene from the film Shall We Dance to entertain the audience.

The Hollywood star often visits India to interact with AIDS prevention groups and support the charities looking after HIV-infected people and orphans.