Mrs India fuming after being dethroned

INFURIATED and distraught after being stripped of her title, Mrs India South Africa 2018 winner Saumya Tiwari Gautam has sought urgent relief in the Durban High Court.

The 31-year-old Cape Town medical doctor, who was born in India and relocated to South Africa two years ago, was stripped of her title after she allegedly brought disrepute to the brand.

Last month, Gautam summoned pageant organisers Annulutchmee Thaver and Deon Ganas to court after they allegedly failed to deliver on prizes worth R500 000 and a new VW Jetta worth R300 000 following her win in August.

She is also claiming R350 000 in damages after she turned down a community post at two hospitals to fulfil her duties as the winner.

Last week, Ganas said Gautam was disqualified for breaching her contract and had allegedly misrepresented facts that she had not received all her prizes.

He said an initial contract signed by participants clearly stated that bringing disrepute to the pageant would result in immediate disqualification.

On Friday, the first runner-up, Daphne Singh, was sashed and crowned queen.

Gautam’s attorney Rajesh Hiralall said her disqualification was unlawful.

PICTURE: SUPPLIED Seen at the Mrs India South Africa 2018 re-crowning ceremony are pageant operations director Deon Ganas, newly crowned queen Daphne Singh, and pageant owner and director, Annulutchmee Thaver.