Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty and Hollywood actor Richard Gere will not face legal action over their public kiss at a charity event last month, the Supreme Court has
ruled.
Shetty was ordered to appear before a judge in Rajasthan this morning after a warrant was issued for her arrest following the incident on April 26.
Gere and Shetty were speaking at a HIV/AIDS awareness event in New Delhi, 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 arrest warrants were issued for both Gere and Shetty after a citizen filed a complaint, accusing the couple of committing an
"obscene act".
Shetty petitioned the Supreme Court to suspend legal proceedings and also asked for all cases against her to be transferred to her home city of Mumbai, at a hearing
yesterday.
The court granted the suspension, which stops police and other courts from taking action against her and the Hollywood actor earlier today.
Her lawyer Anand Grover says a separate petition would be filed to prevent police from stopping her from traveling abroad, adding, "It is an unusual case. No case is made
out... the allegation is that she did not resist."
Thursday, May 17, 2007 12:15 IST