Cranston's Olivia Culpo, also known as Miss Universe, is the subject of a complaint for a recent incident at the Taj Mahal in India after she reportedly participated in a photo shoot for footwear in violation of laws there prohibiting commercial activity at protected monuments.
The complaint asserts that Culpo and her entourage were at the historic national landmark when someone took two shoes out of a bag. One went on Culpo's foot. The other was placed on the central marble tank and a photographer began snapping photos of the scene, the Taj Mahal in the background.
The Times of India reports that a Supreme Court directive prohibits any commercial activity near monuments and the complaints states that the Tourism Police and the Centrial Industrial Security Force failed to stop the activity.
The incident took place at the bench known as the "Diana Seat" famous for a photo of Princiess Diana taken on a trip in 1992. The image became a worldwide symbol of her dissolving marriage to Prince Charles.
The Taj Mahal was built by emperor Shah Jahan to honor his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Construction completed in 1653.
"We have taken note of the incident and are appraising the superintending archaeologist in writing," Munazzar Ali, conservation archaeologist for the ASI told the Daily Mail. "Indeed, there are guidelines prohibiting branding and publicity on the Taj premises but facts related to the incident are yet to be verified."
Culpo spent 10 days in India as a whole. Most of the trip was focused on women's issues and AIDS awareness.
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