Did Virat Kohli Pay Rs 5 Crore to Visit Premanand Maharaj’s Ashram? – What the Sources Say

The Allegation

In early October 2026, a letter sent to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath by Falahari Maharaj Dinesh Sharma, president of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas, claimed that a Rajasthan‑based private company and a builder lobby had spent Rs 5 crore to arrange Virat Kohli’s first visit to Premanand Maharaj’s Vrindavan ashram. The claim was reported by the Economic Times and later amplified on social media. source

Official Response

Kohli’s spokesperson issued a statement calling the allegation “completely false, baseless and factually incorrect.” The team emphasized that the cricketer’s visits to the ashram are driven by personal faith and reverence for the spiritual leader, not by any financial transaction. This denial was also covered by AP7AM. source

Background of the Visits

The couple first met Premanand Maharaj in January 2023, when they visited the ashram with their daughter Vamika. Since then, they have returned multiple times, including a visit in 2025 following Kohli’s announcement of his retirement from Test cricket, and most recently on 22 July 2026 when they were seen walking barefoot in the drizzle at Vrindavan.

Context of the Disciple’s Death

The claim surfaced amid the mysterious death of Rasik Dulari, a disciple of Premanand Maharaj, at the Radha Keli Kunj Ashram. Police are investigating the incident, but no link has been established between the death and the alleged Rs 5 crore payment.

What’s Verified

To date, no contract, invoice, bank record or official communication has been released to substantiate the payment claim. Both major news outlets – the Economic Times and AP7AM – report that the allegation remains unverified and is part of an ongoing inquiry.

How to Verify the Claim

Readers can cross‑check the statements by:

• Reviewing the original letter referenced by Falahari Maharaj (if made public).
• Looking for any financial documents or press releases from the alleged private company or builder lobby.
• Monitoring updates from the Uttar Pradesh police regarding the investigation into Rasik Dulari’s death.
• Checking reputable news sources for any new evidence or official statements.

Until such evidence surfaces, the Rs 5 crore claim should be treated as unverified. The controversy highlights how celebrity spiritual visits can become flashpoints for unfounded financial rumors, especially when unrelated tragic events draw public attention.

For trending data, Google Trends shows a spike in searches for “premanand maharaj” in the last 24 hours, indicating heightened public interest in the matter.