Richard Gere Kissing Row: Court Clears Shilpa Shetty Of Obscenity; Says, Women Groped On Street Not An Accused

Richard Gere-Shilpa Shetty Kissing Row: In 2007, during an AIDS Awareness event, the Hollywood star, Richard Gere planted a kiss on Shilpa Shetty's cheek. Gere's intention was to show that a simple kiss cannot spread an HIV infection, however, a case was registered against them for obscenity.

What Was The Case?

The complaint was filed by Bhupsinh against Shilpa and Richard at the Alwar police station in Rajasthan as they found the gesture obscene. Richard and Shilpa's act was said to be offensive under the IT Act and Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986. The complainant said that the actress was aware that the media covered the public event extensively, but she did not resist the kiss.

Mumbai Court's Order

Now, the Mumbai court has ruled that a woman being groped on a street or on public transport cannot be accused. After hearing both the side, the court in its ruling on April 3 said, "A woman being groped on the street or touched on a public way or in public transport cannot be termed as accused or participative to an extent of mental culpability and she cannot be held for illegal omission to make her liable for prosecution."

The court further noted that the respondent, Shilpa Shetty had not kissed, but was kissed. The court mentioned that obscenity was evident on the actress's part and the judge said there was nothing on record on the complainant's prima facie evidence of annoyance.

In response to the case, Shetty had earlier said that the complaint was filed just to gain cheap publicity as there was evidence to charge her with any of the sections.

The magistrate court, in 2022 had discharged the case against her citing it as 'groundless.' Shetty's lawyer Prashant Patil has said that the actress was a victim of malicious proceedings and harassment.