Court summons Shilpa Shetty

The First Class Magistrate Court, Siwan, has issued summons to Shilpa Shetty and others for 'hurting' the Indian and Bhojpuri culture through a television programme. The case was filed by a lawyer and president of Bhojpuri Kranti Parishad, Ramji Singh.

Others who were ordered summons along with the Bollywood actress were popular Hollywood actor Richard Gere, managing director, director and the then announcer of a private television channel.

On April 15, 2007, the private channel had shown a programme relating to AIDS control in which Shilpa and Gere had appeared. Singh said Gere kissed Shetty on her cheeks several times, which was 'an indecent act'. "It is a crime under Sections 294 and 500 of the IPC", Singh said.

According to Singh, Section 294 mentions that one cannot show an indecent act publicly. Regarding Section 500, he said one cannot defame the President, Governor and a woman through his vulgar acts.