Bombay HC bars ‘Mrs. India’ winner from competing in other pageants, upholds contractual obligations [Read Judgment]

Bombay: The Bombay High Court has delivered a significant judgment enforcing contractual obligations in the beauty pageant industry, issuing a temporary injunction against Sherry Singh, the 2023 “Mrs. India” pageant winner. Justice Arif S. Doctor restrained Singh from participating in any other beauty contests until the resolution of her dispute with Mrs. India Inc., the pageant organizer.

Bombay High Court Enforces Pageant Contractual Obligations

The case centers around Mrs. Mohini Satyendra Sharma, the sole proprietor of “Mrs. India Inc.,” which conducts pageants under the brand name “Mrs. India” and holds various international franchise licenses. The organization’s terms and conditions explicitly prevent winners from participating in other pageants during their tenure and for five years thereafter.

The court highlighted critical contractual obligations, noting, “Participant agrees and acknowledges that during the Pageant and/or in the event of winning the National Finale, no Participant shall be associated with any other pageant as a mentor, judge or even as a participant for a period of 5 (Five) years, failing which… such winning Participant shall return all prizes, sub-titles, titles, crowns and sashes to Mrs. India Inc… [and] shall be liable and responsible to pay liquidated damages amounting to Rs. 5,00,000/-.”

The immediate trigger for the court’s intervention was Singh’s planned participation in the Mrs. Bharat Universe 2024 pageant scheduled in South Korea. Mr. Gauraj Shah, counsel for the plaintiff, argued that such participation without the plaintiff’s consent would deprive the organization of its rightful share in remuneration, prize money, and publicity.

Temporary Injunction Issued Against ‘Mrs. India’ 2023 Winner Sherry Singh

Justice Doctor observed that despite being given ample opportunity since April 2024, Singh had not filed any response to the interim application. The court stated, “Having heard Mr. Shah as also having gone through the Terms and Conditions relied upon… I am satisfied that the Plaintiff has made out a prima facie case for the grant of ad interim relief. This is more so, since Defendant No.3, Mrs. Sherry Singh, though served, has chosen not to appear today.”

The High Court’s order specifically restrains Singh from participating in any pageants organized by the respondents or any third parties, either in India or outside the country’s territorial jurisdiction. The court has scheduled the next hearing for October 18, 2024, giving the other defendants two weeks to file their replies.
 [Read Judgment]