Olivia Culpo, Miss Universe, Gets Flak for Taj Mahal Pix

Miss USA Olivia Culpo is in trouble in India.

Authorities in India filed charges against American Miss Universe Olivia Culpo for shooting an unauthorized footwear fashion pictorial at India’s Taj Mahal. The Modern Wonder of the World’s governing body filed a police complaint.

Miss Universe Olivia Culpo, along with the fashion designer Sanjana Jon and other people on the shoot violated India’s Heritage act, according to Police Inspector Sushant Gaur.

Olivia Culpo was on a 10-day visit to India. According to the Supreme Court of India, any branding or publicity in or around the Taj Mahal is prohibited under law. According to the Hindustan Times of India the SAI says “'Sandals (high heels) of a particular brand were taken out of the bag by someone in the group. Culpo donned one of the sandals and held another in her hand, reportedly to advertise them while cameramen accompanying her shot the scene with the Taj in the background.'

The police inspector said Olivia Culpo shot a commercial without the permission of the state-run Archaeological Survey of India at the Taj Mahal on Sunday. The Archaeological Survery of India has lodged a police complaint against Miss Universe Olivia Culpo because she modeled a pair of high-heeled shoes with the Taj Mahal in the background.

If found guilty, Miss Universe Olivia Culpo can be fined $1,600 and go to jail for up to two years, according to Police Inspector Sushant Gaur.

In India, the police file a case as a first step in investigating a complaint. At the end of the investigation, the police formally charge a suspect in court.

Miss Universe Olivia Culpo visited the world famous Taj Mahal on Sunday as part of her charitable duties, but used overt advertising and product placement at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is prohibited by law.