The INDIAN CONTRACT ACT, 1872

OF CONTRACTS, VOIDABLE CONTRACTS AND VOID AGREEMENTS

Section 27: Agreement in restraint of trade, void.

Every agreement by which any one is restrained from exercising a lawful profession, trade or business of any kind, is to that extent void. Exception 1.—Saving of agreement not to carry on business of which good-will is sold.—One who sells the good-will of a business may agree with the buyer to refrain from carrying on a similar business, within specified local limits, so long as the buyer, or any person deriving title to the good-will from him, carries on a like business therein, provided that such limits appear to the Court reasonable, regard being had to the nature of the business. [Omitted] .