Arrest warrant issued for Shilpa and Gere

An Indian court has issued arrest warrants for Richard Gere and Shilpa Shetty for kissing at a public function, according to media reports.

Chief Judicial Magistrate Dinesh Gupta issued the warrants in the north-western city of Jaipur after a local citizen filed a complaint, the Press Trust of India reported.

Such cases against celebrities - often filed by publicity seekers - are common in conservative India, and add to a backlog of legal cases in the country that has nearly crippled the judicial system.

Last week, crowds in several Indian cities burned effigies of the actor after he wrapped the Bollywood star in his arms and kissed her several times on her cheeks during an Aids awareness event in the country's capital.

Photographs of the 57-year-old embracing the Celebrity Big Brother winner and kissing her on the cheek were splashed across front pages of newspapers last week in India - where public displays of affection are largely taboo.

Click below to watch a clip of the offending kiss.