Kashish was running a business of artificial jewellery since long. He sold his business to Naman and promises, not to carry on the business of artificial jewellery and real diamond jewellery in that area for a period of next one year. After two months, Kashish opened a show room for real diamond jewellery. Naman filed a suit against Kashish for closing the business of real diamond jewellery business as it was against the agreement. Whether Kashish is liable to close his business of real diamond jewellery following the provisions of Indian Contract Act, 1872?

According to Section 27 of Indian Contract Act, 1872, an agreement by which any person is restrained from exercising a lawful profession, trade or business of any kind, is to that extent void. But this rule is subject to the following exceptions, namely, where a person sells the goodwill of a business and agrees with the buyer to refrain from carrying on a similar business, within specified local limits, so long as the buyer or his successor in interest carries on a like business therein, such an agreement is valid. The local limits within which the seller of the goodwill agrees not to carry on similar business must be reasonable. In the instant case, Kashish sold his running business of artificial jewellery to Naman and promises, not to carry on the business of artificial jewellery and real diamond jewellery in that area and for a period of next one year but just after two months, Kashish opened a show room of real diamond jewellery. Naman sued Kashish for closing the business of real diamond business as it was against the agreement. As exceptions to section 27 is applicable to similar business only, agreement between Naman and Kashish will not be applicable on business of real diamond jewellery. Hence, Kashish can continue his business of real diamond jewellery.