"Death threats do not scare me," says oomph girl Mallika Sherawat after a Haryana youth was reported as saying that he had conspired to kill her because she brought a bad name to the Jat community.

Rajesh Dalal, wanted in several cases of kidnapping, robbery and attempt to murder, was arrested in Sangli, Maharashtra, a few ago and brought to New Delhi. He created a sensation when he told reporters at the Delhi Police headquarters that he wanted to kill Mallika because she had besmirched the image of Jats.

Mallika, who belongs to Rohtak district in Haryana, said in a statement posted on her website: "Death threats do not scare me but I do want to make one thing clear that it is not my intention to upset or offend the sensitivity and sensibility of my people. I respect our culture and traditions.

"However, I do feel that women should be empowered and have the ability to stand on their own feet and earn a living and make their own career, which is what I am trying to do." Her website is mallikasherawatwow.com

Police say Dalal's threat was just a gimmick to attract media attention and that the police had found nothing to substantiate his claim.