Shilpa Shetty-Richard Gere Controversy: 10 Things To Know

Shilpa Shetty-Richard Gere controversy came in limelight once again when the Mumbai court discharged the Bollywood actor and nullified the accusations against her. The court verdict, which was announced on January 24, came as a relief to the actor booked for obscenity at a public event.

Bollywood actor Shilpa and Hollywood actor and AIDS campaigner were booked for kissing in a public event in Rajasthan in the year 2007. Since then the case has undergone several trials and looking at all the proofs and accusations, the court gave a decision in favour of Shilpa. If you are wondering what this case was all about, then here are 10 things you need to know about the Shilpa Shetty-Richard Gere controversy.

10 Things To Know About Shilpa Shetty-Richard Gere Controversy

1. In 2007, during an AIDS campaign event in Rajasthan, Shilpa Shetty and Hollywood actor and Pretty Woman fame Richard Gere kissed and hugged her multiple times publicly.
2. There were nationwide protests against the actor's public display of affection which was claimed shameful. immoral and 'against Indian culture'. Three cases were filed against the actors in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
3. Back in 2007, Richard Gere issued an apology to his Indian fans saying that his intentions were not to offend anyone at the AIDS awareness event and that he was sad that because of his fault, Shilpa was facing consequences.
4. Effigies of Shilpa Shetty and Richard Gere were burnt in many parts of the country against their act during the public awareness event.
5. Rajasthan court ordered the arrest of actor Shilpa Shetty but the Supreme Court dismissed the arrest warrant.
6. In 2017, on Shilpa Shetty's application, the case was transferred to Mumbai as per Supreme Court's orders.
7. Shilpa Shetty's advocate Madhukar Dalvi called the allegations baseless as they talked about her not protesting the act which cannot be translated to being a conspirator of the controversy.
8. On January 24, 2022, that is after 15 years of the controversy, Metropolitan Magistrate Ketaki Chavan at Ballard Pier, Mumbai discharged Shilpa Shetty from the allegations.
9. Mumbai court said that Shilpa Shetty was actually the victim in this case and claimed that none of the alleged offenses could be confirmed against the actor based on the proofs and documents provided.
10. The court also said that no proof could be gathered to support that the actor had intentionally done that or if she had planned it with co-accused Richard Gere. Richard Gere is yet to get relief in the obscenity case.

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