Music composer and filmmaker Palash Muchhal, the ex-beau of Indian Women’s Cricket Team Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana is in the headlines again for all the wrong reasons. The latter’s childhood friend, Vignyan Mane recently filed a complaint against Muchhal for allegedly duping him of Rs 25 lakh and hurling casteist slurs at him later.

Mane, who is a social worker, lodged a complaint at the Sangli Police Station, after which the cops have invoked provisions of the SC/ST (Atrocity) Act, alongside charges of cheating under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Muchhal. They said a probe into the incident is underway and police teams have been deployed to trace Muchhal.

Backdrop of the case

Mane, who is also an actor and producer of Sangli, as well as the childhood friend of cricketer Smriti Mandhana alleged that Muchhal persuaded him to invest Rs 25 lakh in his film ‘Nazariya’, promising substantial returns.

He added that despite the project’s completion in 2024, he tried to approach Muchhal to recover his money, but received delays and evasive responses. He said while addressing the reporters, “I trusted him based on his assurances, but later I realised that I had been deceived.”

Caste abuse allegations levelled against Muchhal

Mane went on to inform that during a meeting on November 22, 2025 in Sangli, Muchhal hurled casteist slurs, prompting him to pursue legal recourse under the Atrocities Act. He asserted, “The remarks were deeply offensive and unacceptable. I have detailed them in the FIR,” adding that he also fell prey to alleged threats of physical harm through Muchhal’s contacts in Mumbai, triggering mental distress.

Statements being recorded: Cops

Senior police officials said that Mane’s statements are being recorded and evidence is being inspected as part of the probe. Notably, the controversy erupted months after Muchhal’s high-profile engagement to Mandhana ended abruptly. The couple were set to get hitched on November 23, 2025, but the ceremony was called off following ailments in both families and subsequent developments.