A viral claim alleging that Virat Kohli was paid ₹5 crore to visit spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj’s ashram in Vrindavan has triggered a fresh debate on social media. However, there is no publicly available evidence confirming that the former India captain received such a payment.
The ₹5 crore figure has been linked to a claim reportedly made by Dinesh Sharma, popularly known as ‘Falahari Maharaj’ and president of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas. According to ABP News, the allegation was mentioned in a letter addressed to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
What does the ₹5 crore claim say?
The allegation centres on Kohli’s first reported visit to Premanand Maharaj’s Vrindavan ashram in January 2023.
According to the claim, a property builder lobby and a private company based in Rajasthan allegedly spent ₹5 crore to bring Kohli to the ashram. The alleged objective was to increase the popularity and promotional reach of Premanand Maharaj by associating the spiritual leader with one of India’s most recognised cricketers.
That claim, however, has not been independently substantiated.
There is currently no publicly available contract, invoice, bank transaction, payment record or official statement establishing that Kohli was paid ₹5 crore for the visit.
Kohli and Premanand Maharaj have met several times
Kohli’s association with Premanand Maharaj is not itself in question. The cricketer and his wife, actor Anushka Sharma, have met the spiritual leader on multiple occasions.
The couple reportedly first visited the Vrindavan ashram in January 2023 with their daughter, Vamika. Photographs and videos from the meeting later circulated widely on social media.
Kohli and Anushka returned to meet Premanand Maharaj in 2025. Their visit came after Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket in May that year.
The couple have also visited the ashram again this year.
These repeated meetings have remained publicly visible, but they do not by themselves establish that money was paid to Kohli for attending the ashram.
Why the ₹5 crore figure remains unverified
The biggest issue with the viral claim is the lack of supporting financial evidence.
While the allegation gives a specific amount and describes an alleged reason for Kohli’s visit, no publicly available document has been presented that independently confirms the payment.
That distinction matters because social media posts have circulated the ₹5 crore figure in a manner that can make the allegation appear to be an established fact.
At present, the available information supports only the existence of the allegation, not the payment itself.
Social media reaction adds another layer
The claim has also become part of a wider social media discussion around Premanand Maharaj.
An X account named @JaipurDialogues posted about the controversy and asked users, “We Trust Premanand Maharaj! Do you?” The post drew reactions from users expressing their support and faith in the spiritual leader.
Several comments defended Premanand Maharaj, while others criticised people whom they believed were targeting him.
The reactions, however, reflect individual opinions and do not provide evidence either confirming or disproving the alleged ₹5 crore payment.
What we know so far
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma have publicly documented connections with Premanand Maharaj through their visits to his Vrindavan ashram.
The allegation that Kohli was paid ₹5 crore for one of those visits has circulated widely, but no publicly available financial or contractual evidence has established that the payment took place.
Until such evidence emerges, the ₹5 crore figure should be treated as an unverified allegation rather than a confirmed payment.
The viral debate, therefore, currently rests on a claim for which the crucial financial proof remains missing.
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