Harshita Saxena may lose Miss India Earth crown (Lead)

New Delhi, April 9 (IANS) Harshita Saxena, who was crowned Pantaloons Femina Miss India Earth last week, has landed herself in a spot and may lose her crown for breaching contract with her previous modelling agency.

'Harshita was in a two-year contract with us and as per the agreement she was not supposed to participate in any other contest without our permission. She now has won the Miss India Earth crown, which is a breach of contract,' said Maureen Wadia, president of Gladrags beauty pageants.

'We have sent legal notice to her and complained to the Femina Miss India organisers,' Wadia told IANS by phone from Mumbai.

She said organisers must be more vigilant while selecting the candidates.

'The organisers must be more vigilant, there should be better screening methods. I agree mistakes can happen, but I am extremely disappointed with the girl, who knew about the contract and still went ahead and participated. Youngsters must learn to respect the law and people.'

Commenting on whether Saxena stands disqualified, Sameer Soni, national director of the Femina Miss India, said: 'No, Miss India Earth Harshita Saxena hasn't been disqualified yet.'

'I think she is very young and must have overlooked the dates when the contract ends. To my knowledge, the contest was held on April 5 and the contract expired three days after the event,' Soni said.

'It is too premature to say whether we would disqualify Harshita. It would be decided after a meeting, tentatively by tomorrow (Thursday) evening,' Soni added.

On April 5, Parvathy Omanakuttan of Kerala bagged the Miss India World crown and Simran Kaur Mundi of Mumbai became the Miss India Universe 2008. Harshita from Goa, was the second runner-up of the event and was crowned Miss India Earth.