Liz Hurley Called Criminal for Indian Marriage

Thu, 15 March 2007 12:00:00 ET

Elizabeth Hurley has been called a criminal in India for marrying in a traditional Hindu ceremony.

The model-and-actress jetted off to India for a week of traditional Hindu ceremonies, but angry locals insist she has broken the law.

Vishnu Khandewal, from Jodhpur, claims under 295a of the Indian Penal Code - which deals with "deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings" - it is against the law to marry in a Hindu ceremony if you are not a Hindu.

Khandewal said: "She has hurt the religious sentiments of the community by marrying in Hindu style, which is a criminal offence."

His allegations will reportedly be heard in a Jodhpur court on March 21. Liz's representatives have not commented on the matter.

Liz - who is currently honeymooning with new husband Arun Nayar in the Maldives - was left red-faced when Indian locals dubbed her the "oldest bride they had ever seen".

Hindu girls usually marry in their late teens or early twenties, almost half the age of 41-year-old Liz.