Popular television star Rohit Chandel is currently at the centre of a viral controversy. The Sairaab actor has been booked on serious POCSO-related charges. The actor is currently hitting the headlines for allegedly misbehaving with a 16-year-old. The complainant had filed an FIR against the actor, following which the Mumbai Police detained him. An active investigation into the case is underway. Amid that, the actor’s recent romantic link-up with a minor TV star Drashti Bhanushali has been raising eyebrows.
Rohit Chandel sparked romance rumours with underage Drashti Bhanushali
Drashti Bhanushali is a rising television star who began her acting career in 2013 at the age of three. She then went on to act in the television serial, Guddan Tumse Na Ho Payega and essayed the role of young ‘Sirat’ in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. Recently, on February 6, 2026, she sparked viral dating rumours with veteran TV star Rohit Chandel. The link-up sparked huge buzz due to their age difference. Rohit is almost 31, and Drashti is 16, which makes them 15 years apart.
The two actors’ dating buzz was ignited after their music video, Khwabon Ko Jeene Do was released in February 2026. Drashti and Rohit’s undeniable chemistry against a scenic backdrop, paired with Shaan’s soulful melody, comes together in a truly beautiful way. Notably, it was not the first time the duo sparked dating rumours. They previously appeared in joint Instagram reels and were even seen hanging out in a pool with a few friends.
Rohit and Drashti’s occasional features in each other’s posts and joint public appearances led their fans to believe they were dating. Neither actor ever addressed the romance rumours, and the buzz around them persisted. Many criticised Rohit Chandel for his alleged link with a minor and slammed him on platforms like Reddit.
Recently, fans have gone back to posts that discussed the link-up and dropped comments like “Didn’t age well. He is arrested under posco. We all knew this was coming” in response to people asking if Drashti was really 16. The discussion stems from Rohit’s latest controversy involving a 16-year-old unnamed woman.
Rohit Chandel has been arrested on POCSO charges involving a 16-year-old
The Pant Nagar Police arrested Rohit Chandel from his Dahisar residence on Friday, July 10, 2026. As per a complaint by a 16-year-old eastern suburb resident, the actor allegedly subjected her to continuous harassment by making repeated calls. Notably, the girl’s identity has been kept anonymous, and no reports suggest the individual is Drashti. As for the accuser’s charges, Rohit reportedly kept calling the underage girl from his personal phone number as well as multiple other mobile numbers, despite her objections.
He allegedly kept calling her from his personal phone number and multiple other mobile numbers, despite her objections. According to police logs to police logs, the TV star allegedly confronted the 16-year-old near her residential building on July 5, 2026, chased her, initiated a heated argument, verbally abused her, and physically assaulted her using his hands.
Rohit Chandel allegedly violated several laws, including the POCSO Act (by assaulting a minor), Section 78 of the BNS (by stalking a minor) and Section 115(2) of the BNS (by voluntarily hurting an individual). An official statement from the Mumbai Police confirmed the arrest and charges against Rohit. However, they kept the accused’s identity hidden, most likely due to privacy concerns. The statement could be read as:
“Following the complaint, a case was registered and the accused has been placed under arrest. Further probe is underway in the case.”
What are your thoughts on Rohit Chandel and Drashti Bhanushali’s dating rumours? Let us know.
Photos courtesy: Rohit Chandel/Instagram
Also Read: TV Actor Rohit Chandel Arrested For Allegedly Stalking And Assaulting A 16-Year-Old, Police Confirms
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