Smriti Mandhana's friend files case of cheating and caste-based abuse against Palash Muchhal

Highlights:

One of the most controversial relationships was that of Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana with singer Palash Muchhal. While the duo had planned the whole wedding, it was canceled by Smriti herself after she realized the ulterior motives of Palash. But the issue was not stopped there.

A case has been filed against Palash Muchhal in Maharashtra's Sangli. The case includes charges of cheating and caste-based abuse. The complaint was filed by Vignyan Mane, who is a social worker and also a childhood friend of Smriti Mandhana, who was earlier engaged to Palash Muchhal.

The case has been registered at the Sangli City Police Station. It is filed under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Vignyan Mane has also claimed that Palash Muchhal cheated him in a film project. He said Muchhal asked him to invest money in his film Nazariya. Mane said he invested lakhs of rupees but did not get his money back.

According to Mane, he gave Rs 25 lakh to Muchhal. He said the money was taken in 2024 with a promise of good returns.
“I am a law-abiding citizen who firmly believes in the Constitution of India and the rule of law. In 2024, Palash Muchhal took Rs 25 lakh from me under the pretext of investing in a film project, assuring me of good returns. However, after the film was completed, despite repeated follow-ups, he continued to delay repayment.

"On November 22, 2025, when he was in Sangli, I, along with my friends, met him in person. During this meeting, we realised that we had been deceived. At the same time, he made deeply offensive and casteist remarks about a particular community, which I have detailed in my FIR, as they are not appropriate to repeat publicly,” the complainant said.

Mane also said that Muchhal promised to return the money, but did not do so. “Instead, he allegedly threatened me with physical harm through contacts in Mumbai, causing me significant mental harassment. I have reported all these incidents to the police... The casteist remarks deeply affected me, and with the support of my friends, I decided to take legal action,” he added.

Police said the case includes charges under Section 3(1)(R)(S) of the SC/ST Act, 2012. It also includes Sections 351, 302, and 352 of the BNS. These charges relate to alleged caste-based abusive remarks and other offenses.

Police teams have been sent to arrest the accused. Further investigation into the case is ongoing. Palash Muchhal completed the shooting of the film Nazariya in 2024. The film stars Bhavya Shah, Apoorva Arora, and Dhiraj Sanap.

Palash Muchhal and Smriti Mandhana were earlier set to get married on November 23, 2025, in Sangli. However, the wedding did not take place.

On that day, Smriti Mandhana’s father, Shrinivas Mandhana, was admitted to the hospital due to a health issue. A few hours later, reports said that Palash Muchhal was also taken to the hospital due to viral symptoms and acidity problems. On December 7, Palash Muchhal and Smriti Mandhana announced that their wedding had been called off. The police investigation in this matter is still underway.