Richard Gere issued arrest warrant for 'obscene' act

A court in Jaipur Thursday issued a non bailable arrest warrant against Hollywood actor Richard Gere for "indulging in an obscene act" when he planted kisses on Indian actor Shilpa Shetty during an AIDS function in Delhi.

The court, after hearing complainant Poonam Chand Bhandari, and watching the original video recording of the function showing Gere kissing Shilpa, prima facie found him guilty.

"The court has asked police to arrest and produce him before the court May 5," advocate Bhandari told IANS here.

The court also issued summons to Shilpa Shetty asking her to be present in the court May 5, Bhandari said. The statements of Gere and Shilpa will be recorded on that day.

Bhandari had filed a complaint April 14 in the court accusing both the film personalities of committing "an obscene act" in a public place under the Indian Penal Code.

Under the IPC the accused are liable for imprisonment for a term extending to three months or fine or both.