The Bombay High Court issued a temporary injunction against Sherry Singh, the 2023 “Mrs. India” pageant winner, barring her from participating in any national or international beauty contests until her ongoing dispute with the Mrs India pageant organisation is resolved. Court noted that since Singh has not filed any objection to the enforcement of a negative covenant preventing her from participating, there’s no reason why the interim relief as sought should not be granted.
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MAHARASHTRA: The Bombay High Court issued a temporary injunction against Sherry Singh, the 2023 “Mrs. India” pageant winner, preventing her from participating in any national or international beauty contests until her ongoing legal dispute with the Mrs. India pageant organization is resolved.
This interim order was passed by Justice Arif S Doctor in response to a lawsuit filed by the proprietor of Mrs. India Inc., Mohini Satyendra Sharma.
The Court took note of the fact that Singh had not filed any objection to the enforcement of a negative covenant that barred her from competing in other beauty pageants. Justice Doctor highlighted that since Singh had not responded to the lawsuit despite being given sufficient time, there was no reason to deny the interim relief sought by Mrs. India Inc.
“I am satisfied that the Plaintiff (proprietor of Mrs. India Inc) 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. Also, since Defendant No.3 despite being granted time to file an Affidavit-in-Reply since April 2024 has chosen not to do so. Hence, there is today no contest and/or dispute to the case as pleaded by the Plaintiff,”
-the Court stated in its order dated September 20.
The conflict between Singh and Mrs. India Inc. arose after Singh announced her intention to participate in the Mrs. Universe 2024 pageant, scheduled to be held in South Korea from October 2-9, 2024. This prompted Sharma to approach the court, arguing that Singh’s participation in another competition violated the terms of her agreement with the Mrs. India pageant organization.
According to the agreement, winners of the Mrs. India pageant are prohibited from entering other contests without the express consent of the Mrs. India organization for a period of five years. Sharma’s legal counsel emphasized that Mrs. India Inc. had invested significant resources into the training, grooming, and mentoring of the contestants, making the consent requirement critical.
Sharma’s counsel urged the Court to grant urgent interim relief against Singh. The Court was informed, via an affidavit dated September 19, 2024, that Singh had been properly notified of the interim application, but she had chosen not to appear in court to contest the claims. In light of this, and because there was no opposition, the Court granted the interim relief as requested by the plaintiff.
“Having heard Mr. Shah (counsel for Mrs. India Inc) as also having gone through the Terms and Conditions relied upon and the order dated 25th April, 2024 which records that the Plaintiff would have a right to enforce the negative covenant contained in the Terms and Conditions which formed the agreement between the parties, I am satisfied that the Plaintiff has made out a prima facie case for the grant of ad interim relief,”
-the Court said.
The Court also underscored the binding nature of the terms and conditions that govern the participation of contestants in the Mrs. India pageant, reinforcing the plaintiff’s right to enforce the agreement. The matter will be heard next on October 18.
Representing Mohini Sharma in court were Advocate Gauraj Shah, along with Advocates Akshay Sawant and Ashmita Poojary of IV Merchant & Co. Notably, no legal representation appeared on behalf of Sherry Singh.
CASE TITLE:
Mohini Sharma v. Priya Saggi and Ors.
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