Siddarth Mishra, the controversial husband of Lakshmi Pandit who had voluntarily surrendered the Miss India World title for "misrepresenting" herself as a married woman, was today debarred from participating in the Gladrags Manhunt contest, the United News Of India reports.

The decision to disqualify Mishra, a participant in this year's contest, was taken in view of 'uncertainty' surrounding his background.

Ms Pandit had surrendered her crown in the wake of controversy over her marital status. Both Ms Pandit and Mishra, in an agreement for accommodation at suburban Malad, had registered themselves as "husband and wife" and were reportedly living together. Ms Pandit filed an affidavit in the court stating that she was unmarried but had represented herself as a "married lady" to get the accommodation.

The Gladrags mega model contest, held on April 2, was open only to models who were "singles", the source said.