Music composer and filmmaker Palaash Muchhal has landed in a legal controversy after social worker Vignyan Mane filed a case against him in Sangli, Maharashtra, alleging cheating and invoking the Atrocities Act. However, Muchhal’s legal representative has strongly denied the claims, calling them a pressure tactic.
Lawyer dismisses allegations
Speaking to NDTV, advocate Shreyansh Mithare questioned the timing of the complaint.“If that happened on November 22, and now we are in May, why was no complaint made until now? Earlier, he only spoke about a financial dispute, but he never brought up any allegation of caste-based remarks. This clearly shows that his intentions are not genuine and that he is merely seeking publicity. We will respond to this appropriately through legal means,” he said.
Points to earlier financial dispute
Mithare added that Mane’s earlier claims were limited to an alleged financial dispute.Providing background, he said, “On the 26th, he gave interviews to several news channels, in which he said that Palaash had defrauded him of Rs 40 lakh. He said he would file a complaint at the Sangli police station. Based on that, we approached the Bombay High Court and sent him a defamation notice of Rs 10 crore.”
Defamation case and court order
The lawyer said the matter escalated when Mane did not retract his statements.“After that, he did not retract his statements, so we filed a defamation suit of Rs 11 crore in the Bombay High Court. The court has already issued a restraining order against him, stating that he cannot speak against Palaash in the media or defame him further,” he said.He added that despite the order, Mane continued to give interviews, and a contempt petition may be filed.According to Mithare, the defamation case was filed in February, and the Bombay High Court issued its restraining order on February 11. He also claimed that Mane was summoned twice but did not appear.
‘Attempt to create pressure’
Mithare alleged that the latest complaint is an attempt to exert pressure.“He seems to think this is just a pressure tactic… To create pressure so that we withdraw the defamation case or reach a settlement, he has filed this false atrocity case,” he said.
On Smriti Mandhana link
On claims about Mane’s association with Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana, Mithare said, “We are not aware of that; Smriti would be the best person to clarify. We met him only through his father. There was never any occasion for Palaash to go to Sangli, as he is a resident of Mumbai.”
Wedding called off
Palaash Muchhal and Smriti Mandhana were set to get married on November 23, 2025, in Sangli.However, on the day of the wedding, Smriti’s father Shrinivas Mandhana was hospitalised due to a health issue. Reports later stated that Palaash was also taken to hospital for viral symptoms and acidity-related complications.On December 7, 2025, Palaash and Smriti announced that their wedding had been called off.