Virat Kohli rejects false claims of taking money for Vrindavan ashram visit

Cricketer Virat Kohli has dismissed allegations that he was paid Rs 5 crore to visit the ashram of spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj. His spokesperson called the claims false and factually incorrect.

The Claims

Falahari Maharaj Dinesh Sharma, president of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas, made the allegation following the death of ashram disciple Rasik Dulari under mysterious circumstances. In a letter to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Sharma alleged that a Rajasthan-based private company and a property builder lobby spent Rs 5 crore to facilitate Kohli's first visit in 2023 to boost the ashram's popularity. Sharma also alleged that a builder lobby and land mafia used the ashram's name for public relations and an extortion racket.

The Response

Kohli's spokesperson issued a statement rejecting the claims entirely. The statement emphasized that Kohli and his actor wife Anushka Sharma visit Premanand Maharaj purely out of deep faith and reverence. The spokesperson urged the media to verify facts before reporting or amplifying such statements. The couple first visited Vrindavan on January 4, 2023, and have returned several times since, including a visit on July 22, 2026, when they walked barefoot through the drizzle.

Context

Public figures visiting spiritual leaders often attract widespread media attention and online discussion in India. Investigations into legal or criminal matters sometimes bring forward various claims from local religious and political figures that require official verification.