Cricketer Virat Kohli's spokesperson has vehemently denied allegations that the former India captain received a sum of ₹5 crore for his visits to the Vrindavan ashram of spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj.
In an official statement, Kohli's representative labeled the claims, reportedly made by Falahari Maharaj Dinesh Sharma, as "completely false, baseless and factually incorrect." The spokesperson clarified that Kohli's visits to Premanand Maharaj are motivated "purely out of his deep faith and reverence" for the spiritual leader.
The statement further urged media outlets to "exercise due diligence, verify facts before reporting or amplifying such statements, and report responsibly."
Origin of the Allegations
Reports of an alleged ₹5-crore payment gained traction on social media following claims attributed to Dinesh Sharma. Sharma, also identified as the president of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas, reportedly sent a letter to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. In this letter, he alleged that a Rajasthan-based private company and a property-builder lobby had spent ₹5 crore to facilitate Kohli's initial visit to the ashram in 2023.
However, no publicly available contract, invoice, bank transaction, or other independently verified payment record has emerged to substantiate these claims. There is currently no evidence confirming such a payment.
Kohli and Sharma's Spiritual Visits
Virat Kohli, often accompanied by his wife Anushka Sharma, first visited Premanand Maharaj's Radha Keli Kunj Ashram in Vrindavan on January 4, 2023. Since then, the couple has made several subsequent visits to seek blessings from the spiritual leader, including before and after IPL matches and during their trips to India from London.
Videos of their visits frequently circulate on social media, highlighting Kohli's personal spiritual beliefs. Their most recent visit was on July 22, 2026, where they were observed walking barefoot through a drizzle to meet Premanand Maharaj.
Broader Context of Scrutiny
The latest controversy reportedly surfaced following the death of Rasik Dulari Sharan, a disciple of Premanand Maharaj, who passed away on September 25 after falling from a building in Vrindavan. The circumstances surrounding this incident have reportedly led to renewed scrutiny and various allegations connected to the ashram. Kohli's spokesperson's clarification aims to separate the cricketer's personal faith-driven visits from these broader controversies.