Virat Kohli Faces Controversy Over Alleged ₹5 Crore Payment for Ashram Visit

A controversy has arisen involving cricketer Virat Kohli and allegations of a ₹5 crore payment for his visit to Premanand Maharaj's ashram in Vrindavan. Dinesh Falhari, president of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas, claims that a builder financed Kohli's visit to enhance the spiritual leader's influence. However, there is no verified evidence supporting this claim, and Kohli has not publicly acknowledged any payment. The situation has intensified following the death of a disciple and ongoing police investigations. Read on to learn more about the unfolding events.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 6, 2026, 12:55 IST

New Allegations Surrounding Kohli's Visit to Vrindavan Ashram

A new controversy has emerged involving cricketer Virat Kohli and the Vrindavan ashram of Premanand Maharaj, following claims made by Dinesh Falhari. He alleged that ₹5 crore was spent to facilitate Kohli's visit, although this assertion remains unverified.

Origin of the ₹5 Crore Allegation

Dinesh Falhari, who leads the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas, has raised serious concerns regarding Kohli's initial meeting with Premanand Maharaj. Reports indicate that Falhari suggested a builder or a property-related group may have financed Kohli's visit with ₹5 crore.

He further claimed that this financial backing was aimed at boosting the influence and popularity of Premanand Maharaj, hinting at underlying property interests. Falhari has reportedly submitted these allegations in a letter requesting government intervention and security for the spiritual leader.

Lack of Evidence for Payment

Despite the serious nature of these claims, there is currently no independent verification that Virat Kohli received ₹5 crore for his visit to the ashram. No documented payment records, agreements, or statements from Kohli or his representatives have surfaced publicly.

Kohli's Previous Visits to Premanand Maharaj

Virat Kohli's connection with Vrindavan and Premanand Maharaj is well-established. He and his wife, Anushka Sharma, first gained attention for their spiritual visit to the area in January 2023. Since then, they have returned to meet the spiritual leader multiple times.

In 2026 alone, the couple visited the ashram several times, including a private meeting with Maharaj in February, following the IPL victory of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and ahead of Guru Purnima.

Current Status of the Allegations

At this point, the claim regarding the ₹5 crore payment remains an allegation without substantiation. Reports have emphasized that this assertion has not been independently verified.

The situation surrounding Premanand Maharaj's ashram has become more complex following the death of one of his disciples, Deepak Lodhi, along with other allegations related to the spiritual center. Ongoing police investigations are looking into these matters.

As of now, there is no confirmed evidence that Kohli was compensated ₹5 crore for visiting Premanand Maharaj.