Former India skipper Virat Kohli has refuted allegations of his taking financial assistance of Rs 5 crore to visit the spiritual personality Premanand Maharaj’s (of Vrindavan) ashram.
It was through an allegation made by popular Dinesh Sharma otherwise known as Falahari Maharaj, president of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas. According to Sharma, Rs 5 crore spent to send Kohli to ashram of Premanand Maharaj.
But there was a response to the allegation from Kohli’s spokesperson, which labelled the claim as “completely, factually and baseless”. The spokesperson also clarified that the visits by Kohli with the spiritual leader are based on his faith and reverence.
“It is just because of Mr. Virat Kohli’s universal love and respect towards Maharaj Ji, he visits Premanand Maharaj Ji,” the statement went on to say.
Payment record or contract documentation that can be found to verify Kohli was paid Rs 5 crore for his visit has not yet come to light and the claim has yet to be confirmed by someone other than him. Kohli’s team also called on the media organisations and journalists to “verify” such information before sharing it or amplifying it.
Kohli and his wife actress Anushka Sharma have been thinking of paying a visit to Premanand Maharaj’s ashram located in Vrindavan multiple times. They came to the ashram for the first time in January 2023 and regularly come back to the ashram since then.
The tussle is coming in the wake of the controversy that erupted over Premanand Maharaj’s ashram after the death of one of his disciples, which happened at a different time.
The financial allegation cannot be accepted by Virat Kohli’s side, which has so far stated that their relationship is based on trust and sentiment, and not on commercial dealings or any financial transaction with Premanand Maharaj.