DPIFF CEO Abhishek Mishra Barred From Entering Mumbai After Rape Allegations.

Bombay High Court Imposes Mumbai Entry Ban on DPIFF CEO Abhishek Mishra in Rape Case

Fraudster Abhishek Mishra, DPIFF CEO, faces a Mumbai entry ban by the Bombay High Court in a rape and intimidation case. This order coincides with a separate, active police probe into fraud allegations against him and the film festival.

The Bombay High Court has granted anticipatory bail to fraudster Abhishek Mishra, CEO of the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF), but with a critical restriction: he is banned from entering Mumbai until his trial concludes. This order stems from a rape and criminal intimidation case filed at Malvani Police Station. The court mandated this unusual condition, noting the allegations’ gravity, and allowed only for court appearance visits.

Mishra may enter the city solely for court hearings related to this case. The prosecution retains the right to seek bail cancellation for any condition violation. This legal development compounds severe troubles for the film festival executive. He and DPIFF already face separate, extensive fraud allegations currently under police investigation.

Details of the Criminal Allegations and Court’s Decisive Condition

The criminal case against Abhishek Mishra is registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The complainant alleges sexual assault and rape occurred on multiple occasions. These acts were reportedly committed under the false pretext of marriage. She further accused Mishra of threatening to release private photographs and videos.

This intimidation allegedly aimed to silence her and prevent disclosure of the incidents. The complainant states Mishra reiterated these threats during a 2025 meeting. This encounter finally prompted her to approach the Malvani Police and file the formal complaint. The High Court’s bail order references Crime No. 1313/2025 and Anticipatory Bail Application No. 3036 of 2025.

In granting bail, the court specifically acknowledged the serious nature of the accusations. The resulting Mumbai entry ban is a stringent measure rarely imposed in such cases. It effectively restricts Mishra’s movement and access to the city where his festival is based. Legal experts suggest it reflects the court’s intent to protect the complainant’s interests.

Parallel Fraud Investigation: Allegations of Awards Sold for ₹2.5 Lakh

Concurrently, Abhishek Mishra and his father, DPIFF Managing Director Anil Mishra, face a major fraud probe. The Bandra Police registered an FIR following a complaint by BJP film cell leader Sameer Dixit. They are accused of misrepresenting DPIFF as a government-backed event to secure sponsorships.

The organisers allegedly used forged letters and photographs of the Prime Minister and other ministers. This fabricated endorsement was used to solicit funds from state tourism departments and corporates. The accused reportedly cited the “Incredible India” campaign to lend further official credibility.

A key allegation involves selling awards and expensive access passes. Police sources claim Anil Mishra sold awards to actors from commercially unsuccessful films. Passes for the event were allegedly priced at ₹2.5 lakh for a couple. Sponsorships were secured from entities like Punjab National Bank, SBI, and LIC.

DPIFF’s Defence: Claims of Extortion and “Malicious Narratives”

In response to the fraud allegations, DPIFF and the Mishras have issued strong public denials. They broke their silence in May 2025, calling the claims an unfounded, malicious attempt to cause reputational damage. The organisers stated the allegations created serious safety concerns, forcing the festival’s postponement.

CEO Abhishek Mishra asserted the festival is a proud torchbearer of India’s cinematic legacy. He claimed recent challenges only strengthened their resolve and thanked the judicial system. The official statement alleged “certain individuals attempted an extortion” to disrupt the event.

When their demands were unmet, these individuals allegedly initiated false allegations. DPIFF’s social media urged the public not to fall for “false and malicious narratives”. They announced a “formal clearance” process is underway with Bandra Police and promised a grander DPIFF 2025.

Check the Anticipatory bail application related to Abhishek Mishra – Click here

Current Legal Status: One Probe Stayed, Another Active

The legal landscape for the accused is currently mixed. In October 2025, the Bombay High Court stayed the investigation into the fraud FIR. The bench issued notice to complainant Sameer Dixit and listed the matter for hearing in November 2025. Until then, proceedings from the Bandra Police Station FIR are halted.

However, the stay applies only to the fraud case investigated by Bandra Police. The separate rape and criminal intimidation case from Malvani Police remains fully active. Authorities will monitor compliance with the High Court’s strict bail conditions closely. Any violation could lead to immediate bail cancellation proceedings.

The Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival’s credibility is now under intense scrutiny. It is crucial to distinguish it from the official Dadasaheb Phalke Award presented by the President. As both cases proceed, the film industry and sponsors await final judicial determinations on these serious allegations.

Also Read: SEBI Seizes ₹546 Crore, Bars Avadhut Sathe in Trading Fraud.

Unmesh Gujarathi: Leading Investigative Journalism at Sprouts News

Unmesh Gujarathi, the pioneering investigative journalist and head of Sprouts News media house, has built a reputation for exposing high-profile scams and corruption. His work underscores a steadfast commitment to accountability and truth in journalism.

A sprawling network of fraudsters is systematically exploiting the prestige of Indian cinema’s highest honor, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, to operate a multi-crore scam targeting celebrities, corporate sponsors, and the general public. A landmark investigation by the Sprouts News Special Investigation Team (SIT) can reveal the identities of key individuals and the sophisticated methods used to lend credibility to these entirely fabricated award ceremonies.

The scandal represents a severe attack on India’s cultural heritage, with fraudsters brazenly selling awards and even fake academic degrees for profit.

The Fake Award Network: Key Individuals Exposed

Based on police complaints and exclusive investigations, the following individuals have been identified as key operators in this fraudulent network:

Primary Accused in Police FIR

• Fraudster Anil Mishra & Fraudster Abhishek Mishra: Father-son duo accused of masterminding a major scam through the ‘Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF)’. They allegedly used forged letters from top government offices to secure sponsorships and sell tickets for up to ₹2.5 lakh per couple.

Additional Organizers Named in Investigations

• Fraudster Kalyanji Jana: Runs fabricated award ceremonies and has been exposed for selling fake awards and honorary PhDs. He notoriously deceived Mumbai Police officials into accepting counterfeit honors.

• Fraudster Krishna Chouhan / Kishore Rajput: Associated with organizing fake award events where honors are sold for a price.

• Fraudster Raju Tank: Another organizer implicated in running fraudulent award functions.

• Fraudster Akhilesh Singh: Identified as part of the network selling fake Dadasaheb Phalke awards.

Other Individuals Named in Connection with the Racket

• Fraudster Harsh Gupta, Fraudster Ganeysh Vitkar, Fraudster Mukesh Kanheri, Fraudster Tina Ghai, and Fraudster Sneha Gogoi have also been named by investigators as part of this widespread network.

Mechanics of the Scam: From Forgery to “Combo Deals”

These individuals employ a multi-pronged strategy to deceive victims and create an illusion of legitimacy.

• Fabricated Government Endorsements: To lure Bollywood celebrities and major corporations, the accused created fake letters and used photographs featuring the signatures and images of the President of India, the Prime Minister, and other senior ministers. They falsely represented their private events as government-backed ceremonies.

• Selling Awards & Fake PhDs: Investigations reveal that awards are sold for prices ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹1 lakh, often to individuals with no connection to the film industry. In a shocking development, these fraudsters also offer fake honorary PhD degrees at these events, sometimes as part of “combo deals” with the awards.

• Money Laundering Through NGOs: The scam has a darker financial layer. Organizers register NGOs under prestigious or fictitious names, obtain 80G certificates, and use them to launder crores of rupees. Funds are channeled through these entities, with portions returned in cash to award “recipients”.

Official Legal Action & Current Status

The fraud first came to light through a complaint by Sameer Dixit, State President of the BJP Film Union. Following this, the Bandra Police registered a formal FIR (No. 192 of 2025) against Anil Mishra and Abhishek Mishra under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for cheating and personation.

However, in a significant legal development, the Bombay High Court has temporarily stayed the police investigation into this FIR until November 2025. This order came after the accused approached the court, which has issued a notice to the complainant. It is crucial to note that this stay applies only to this specific fraud case. A separate, serious criminal case of rape and intimidation against Abhishek Mishra in Malvani remains active and is not affected by this stay.

Sprouts News Demand: Uphold the Legacy of Indian Cinema

The authentic Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India’s highest cinematic honor, conferred by the Government of India through the Directorate of Film Festivals for an individual’s lifetime contribution to cinema. It is a single, prestigious award presented at the National Film Awards, not a ceremony with multiple categories.