Indian batter Virat Kohli on Wednesday put an end to the allegations that he was paid Rs 5 crore to visit the ashram of Hindu seer Premanand Maharaj. The Indian cricket star’s spokesperson termed the claims ‘completely false, baseless and unfounded.’
The allegations come against the backdrop of a controversy surrounding Premanand Maharaj and his Radha Keli Kunj Ashram, days after one of his disciples died under mysterious circumstances.
A still from Kohli and Anushka Sharma's visit to the ashram
Kohli junks payment allegations
Falahari Maharaj, president of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas, had earlier claimed that Kohli had been paid Rs 5 crore to visit Premanand Maharaj’s ashram. As per the claim, the visit was aimed at boosting the seer’s popularity. Kohli’s spokesperson, meanwhile, denied the allegations, clarifying that the former Indian captain’s visits to the ashram were driven by faith and reverence rather than any financial arrangement.
The clarifications surface at a time when the Hindu seer’s ashram is under heightened scrutiny following the death of a disciple named Rasik Dulari, who died after falling from the fourth floor of a building situated on the premises.
Kohli and Anushka’s association with the ashram
Another screengrab of the duo's visit to the ashram
Kohli and his wife, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, have been frequent visitors to the Radha Keli Kunk Ashram in Vrindavan. Notably, they first paid a visit to the ashram on January 4, 2023.
The couple’s association with the Hindu seer drew widespread public attention over the years, and the images as well as videos of their visits circulated widely online. Moreover, the couple’s visits to the ashram have also highlighted their spiritual interest, particularly their interactions with Premanand Maharaj. However, the latest claim has triggered a direct response from Kohli’s side.