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India's Antitrust Body Investigates Pageant Rules
4 Jun
Summary
- Antitrust body probes pageant organiser for alleged abuses.
- Contract terms bar participants from other pageants for five years.
- Runner-up's complaint triggered the competition watchdog's investigation.
India's Competition Commission (CCI) is scrutinizing Mrs. India Inc, a prominent organizer of beauty pageants for married women. The investigation centers on allegations of market abuse and the imposition of restrictive contract clauses on contestants. These terms reportedly include a five-year prohibition for participants and winners from engaging in any other beauty pageants, either as judges or mentors.
Furthermore, the CCI's analysis of agreements revealed that participants are also forbidden from accepting professional assignments without the firm's explicit written consent. This inquiry was prompted by a complaint lodged by Rinima Borah Agarwal, a runner-up in the 2024 Mrs. India Inc pageant. The watchdog noted that Mrs. India Inc did not respond to requests for comments or details regarding its tie-ups, despite multiple opportunities.
Another contentious contract stipulation requires participants to support a social cause endorsed by Mrs. India Inc. Antitrust investigations by the CCI can extend for several months before a final resolution is reached.
