RICHARD GERE - GERE OBSCENITY CASE THROWN OUT

GERE OBSCENITY CASE THROWN OUT

RICHARD GERE has been cleared of charges of obscene behaviour after a lawsuit relating to a 2007 incident in India was thrown out of the country's Supreme Court. A court in the western state of Rajasthan, India, issued a warrant for Gere's arrest last year (07) after he passionately embraced Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty and kissed her several times at an April (07) AIDS awareness event in New Delhi. Displays of public affection are outlawed in the conservative country. Prosecutors also wanted Shetty to appear in court over charges that she did not resist the actor's advances, but they were later suspended by the Supreme Court. Gere initially dismissed the row as "nothing", but later apologised for causing any offence. And now a two-judge bench headed by the Chief Justice of India, KG Balakrishnan has quashed the case following an appeal by Gere's lawyers, branding the charges "frivolous" and "cheap publicity". Balakrishnan says, "Richard Gere is free to enter the country. This is the end of the matter." He also blamed the complainants for bringing "a bad name to the country".