New Delhi, October 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former India captain Virat Kohli’s spokesperson has categorically rejected a claim that the cricketer was paid Rs 5 crore for visiting spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj’s ashram in Vrindavan, describing the allegation as “completely false, baseless and factually incorrect”.
The clarification came after a claim attributed to Dinesh Sharma, popularly known as ‘Falahari Maharaj’, circulated on social media and sparked speculation about Kohli’s association with the spiritual leader.
In an official statement, Kohli’s spokesperson said: “We would like to categorically state that the claims made by Falahari Maharaj Dinesh Sharma in regards to Mr. Virat Kohli are completely false, baseless and factually incorrect.”
The statement added that Kohli visits Premanand Maharaj “purely out of his deep faith and reverence” and urged the media to verify facts before reporting or amplifying such claims.
The controversy relates to an alleged payment purportedly connected to Kohli’s first visit to Premanand Maharaj’s Vrindavan ashram in January 2023. Reports citing Sharma, who is the president of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas, said the allegation was mentioned in a letter addressed to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
The claim alleges that a property builder lobby and a private company based in Rajasthan spent Rs 5 crore to facilitate Kohli’s visit, allegedly to boost the visibility and popularity of Premanand Maharaj by associating him with one of Indian cricket’s most prominent names.
However, there is no publicly available documentary evidence establishing that such a payment was made. No verified contract, invoice, bank transaction, payment record or official communication confirming that Kohli received Rs 5 crore in connection with the visit has emerged publicly.
Kohli’s team has now directly rejected the allegation, maintaining that his meetings with Premanand Maharaj are rooted in personal faith rather than any commercial arrangement.
Kohli and his wife, actor Anushka Sharma, first met Premanand Maharaj at his Vrindavan ashram in January 2023, when they visited with their daughter Vamika. Images and videos from the meeting subsequently went viral on social media.
The couple returned to the ashram in 2025, including a visit after Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket in May that year. They have also visited Premanand Maharaj again in 2026.
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