Amorous Israeli couple irks Pushkar priests

An Israeli couple, allegedly caught kissing in the semi-nude at a bathing ghat in Pushkar Lake, have ruffled the feathers of local priests who filed charges against them for hurting Hindu sentiments.

The couple, Alon and Selver Kurmit, deny the charges and claim to have been married as per Hindu custom. The charges were read out by Judicial Magistrate Kishan Lal Choudhary at Pushkar on Tuesday and the evidence of the tourists will be heard on Thursday.

Pushkar Purohit Sangh lodged a police report on September 6 after solemnising their marriage on Brahama ghat of the lake, alleging that they kissed each other 'obscenely' and were 'semi-nude'.

The couple were arrested and later released on bail on personal bonds of Rs 10,000. The chargesheet was framed on Monday. Defence counsel Pratap Kumar Verma told the court that the tourists had a great respect and faith in the Hindu religion.

Their marriage was performed by a priest of Pushkar in which they kissed each other only after taking the 'saat phera' as per Hindu custom, he said.

He also requested the court for day-to-day hearings as the couple had to return to Isreal soon.