Warrant Issued for Richard Gere Following Shetty Smooch

Richard Gere

HOLLYWOOD - Hollywood star Richard Gere is a wanted man - an Indian court has issued a warrant for his arrest following his recent public display of affection with Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty.

Gere and Shetty were speaking at an HIV/AIDS awareness event in New Delhi earlier this month, when the Pretty Woman actor swept the beauty into his arms and kissed her several times.

Public displays of affection are taboo in India and Gere's actions resulted in crowds burning effigies of the 57-year-old actor in Mumbai, Varanasi and New Delhi.

New Delhi Judge Dinesh Gupta issued arrest warrants for both Gere and Shetty earlier today after a citizen filed a complaint, accusing the couple of committing an "obscene act".

Under Indian law, a conviction of public obscenity means a potential three months behind bars or a fine. Last week, Shetty defended the kiss and accused her critics of steering media attention from the real issue - of HIV and AIDS.

She said, "I understand this is his culture, not ours. But this was not such a big thing or so obscene for people to overreact in such manner."

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