Celebrity chef Redzuawan Ismail, AKA Chef Wan, is currently under police investigation for his previously-made comments about Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai's dress.
The controversy arose when he compared the actress's outfit to a Kavadi, an ornamental structure carried during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves.
Sentul District Police confirmed that a report had been filed regarding the issue.
The investigation, led by the Classified Criminal Investigation Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department at Bukit Aman, follows allegations that the remarks posted on social media were racially insensitive.
It began when Chef Wan commented on an Instagram post from a Bollywood entertainment website, which featured the 1994 Miss World in a silver-and-blue gown by Indian designers Falguni Shane Peacock.
"The case has been referred to the USJT because it involves sensitive matters of religion, race, and royalty," he stated.
Reports state that Chef Wan is being investigated under Section 298 of the Penal Code for intentionally causing hurt to religious sentiments and under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.
Chef Wan has since publicly apologized on the platform, clarifying that he had no intention to offend any religious group.
He explained that his comment was inspired by the resemblance of Aishwarya's dress to the peacock feathers often used in Kavadi decorations during the Thaipusam festival.
