Gere and Shetty Trial on Hold in India

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Police in India cannot proceed with the arrest warrant for Richard Gere, after a ruling from the country’s Supreme Court suspended all legal actions in the case. Bollywood actress and female celebrity Shilpa Shetty, was charged with obscenity after being blamed for not refusing the on-air kiss.  People in India found Gere’s actions to be obscene as publicly displaying affection is taboo in India.  Devout Hindus rallied against the actors’ display in various cities in India. 

Richard Gere expressed regrets for offending anyone with his actions, while the attorney for Shilpa Shetty, Anand Grover, expressed his client’s outrage, calling the charges “frivolous.” Initially, Gere acted as if his public display of affection was not a big deal.  His attitude changed after the public outcry from those opposing his actions, so an apology was in place. 

The charges came about after Gere took Shetty in his arms and proceeded to kiss her in New Dehli at an HIV and AIDS event.  A court in Rajasthan, in the western part of India, arranged for the arrest of Gere. 

Shetty was requested to appear for allegedly not resisting Gere’s actions.  These charges are suspended after Shetty’s lawyer petitioned the charges.  Her lawyer requests that Shetty’s three charges merge into one case and that the trial take place in Mumbia, Shilpa’s hometown.  For now, the trial is on hold and may occur at a later date, despite her opposition to the charges.  Shetty, like Gere, initially expressed disbelief that the occurrence was significant. 

Shilpa Shetty became famous from being a target of racism and abuse on the UK version of Celebrity Big Brother in which she won the competition. 

The Shilpa Shetty and Richard Gere’s case has an uncertain future date, and even an uncertain existence.