Indian Contract Act, 1872
27. Agreement in restraint of trade,
void
Every agreement by which anyone 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 goodwill is sold-One who sells the goodwill 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
goodwill 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.