A controversy is persisting over a popular Taoist priest in southwestern Chongqing Municipality, despite an announcement by local authorities that a "comprehensive" and "in-depth" investigation found an accusation against him of rape to be "inaccurate."

Li Yi [file photo]

Li Yi, who has a reported 30,000 followers - including business tycoon Jack Ma, the founder of Chinese e-commerce firm alibaba.com, and pop singer Faye Wong - had been the focus of a police probe in the past few days over an allegation of raping a college student about six years ago. The Southern Weekend newspaper had claimed he paid 7,000 yuan ($1030) to silence her.

An unnamed spokesman for the Bureau of Religious Affairs in the Beibei district of Chongqing told local news portal cqnews.net Wednesday, in the wake of a comprehensive and in-depth investigation carried out by local police, that there was no evidence to justify the allegations that Li had raped the woman.

The announcement was the latest official response to widespread skepticism over Li, a Taoist priest of Shaolong Taoist Temple of Jinyun Mountain, who has came under fire for his controversial claims and practices.

Li's whereabouts are unknown. Wu Xin, Li's disciple and deputy director of the Jinyun Mountain Taoist Association, was quoted as saying by the Xinhua News Agency that Li has been carrying out closed-door practices for at least a few months, during which time he has had his phone turned off and hasn't accepted visitors.

Formerly known as a "grand master," Li has been met with a barrage of critical reports saying many of his claims are false, such as staying alive for nearly 2.5 hours under water without oxygen, enduring a 220v electric shock and breathing with his heels.

The priest also reportedly runs expensive health and philosophy programs.