Punjab Newsline | New Delhi
Indian cricketer Virat Kohli has denied allegations that he was paid ₹5 crore to visit the ashram of spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj.
Kohli’s spokesperson issued an official statement on Wednesday, describing the allegations as “false, baseless and factually incorrect.” The spokesperson said Kohli visits Premanand Maharaj’s ashram solely out of deep faith and respect.
The spokesperson also appealed to the media to verify facts before publishing or broadcasting any such claims.
The clarification came after Dinesh Sharma, also known as Falahari Maharaj and president of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas, made the ₹5-crore allegation on Monday.
Sharma had reportedly written a letter to Premanand Maharaj, claiming that a group of sadhus associated with the spiritual leader’s team had allegedly paid ₹5 crore to bring Virat Kohli to the ashram along with his wife, actor Anushka Sharma.
According to Sharma’s allegation, the purpose was to portray Premanand Maharaj as a celebrity spiritual figure.
Sharma also made serious allegations against some members of the ashram’s team, claiming that people posing as sadhus were allegedly involved in land-related activities in the Yamuna floodplain and other criminal activities. These allegations have not been established.
He urged Premanand Maharaj to visit Govardhan and seek a CBI investigation into the matter. Sharma also claimed that the spiritual leader was not safe and called for Z-plus security for him.
Kohli’s spokesperson, however, rejected the payment allegation and reiterated that the cricketer’s visits to Premanand Maharaj are motivated by personal faith and respect.
