Mrs India winner Shherryi Singh barred from participating in other pageants

The Bombay High Court issued a temporary injunction against Shherryi 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 organization is resolved.

The conflict arose when Singh announced her decision to participate in the Mrs Universe competition, slated to be held in South Korea from October 2-9. Mohini Satyendra Sharma, the sole proprietor of ‘Mrs India Inc.’, approached the court, alleging that Singh’s participation violates the terms of her agreement with the Mrs India pageant.

It was stressed that Sharma invested in training, grooming, and mentoring the participants, and thus, any future participation for five years in any pageant cannot be without the inclusion/consent of Sharma.

In an affidavit dated September 19, 2024, Sharma’s counsel confirmed that Singh had been properly served with notice regarding the interim application. However, she chose not to appear in court to contest the claims made against her.

“Hence, I see no reason why interim relief should not be granted in favor of Sharma as prayed for,” said Justice Arif Doctor. Justice Doctor clarified that the order would apply only to Singh since Sharma’s application was not pressed against the other contestants, who had appeared and sought an extension of time to file their replies.

The court will hear the matter next on October 18.

Notably, Sharma had moved the court against Priya Saggi, the winner of the Mrs India 2023-2024 title, in April, as she was to participate in the ‘Queen of the World’ pageant.

“Since I am prima facie of the opinion that as far as this pageant is concerned, if at all Saggi has entered the final round, it is based on her own skill and entitlement, and hence, at the 11th hour, I do not intend to stop her participation in the pageant,” Justice Bharati Dangre had said.