SC issues notice on Gere's application for stay on arrest

New Delhi, Feb 11 (UNI) The Supreme Court today issued notice to one Poonam Chand Bhandari on an application filed by anti-AIDS activist Richard Gere seeking stay of arrest warrant issued by a Jaipur Court for publicly hugging and kissing Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty at a function in Delhi.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices R V Raveendran and Lokeshwar Singh Panta issued notice to the original complainant Bhandari, who was not made a party in the case.

Hollywood star Gere wants permission from the Supreme Court to visit India in March this year and also to return.

Shilpa filed a transfer petition for shifting of the Jaipur case to Mumbai.

The actress is supporting the plea of Gere.

Counsel for Bhandari who was incidentaly present in the court told the court that his dead father has been made a party and the relief is being sought behind his back.

Counsel for Shilpa however, pleaded that it was a bonafide mistake and that an application for making the original complainant a party had already been filed.

Shilpa and Gere are facing several cases for indulging in obscenity at a public place.

UNI AKS/SCLPB DB1234