ED filed charge sheet against YouTuber Elvish Yadav and Haryanvi singer Rahul Yadav alias Fazilpuriya in the money laundering case. Both are accused of illegally using snakes and exotic animals in their music videos and vlogs and earning money online from these videos.
This case is related to two FIRs registered in Noida Police and Badshahpur Police Station of Haryana. The first FIR was registered in Noida in November 2023, in which it was alleged that some agents used to supply snakes and their venom for use in parties. Police caught these agents in a sting operation, whose links were said to be related to Elvish Yadav.
Allegations of use of snakes and other animals of protected species
The second FIR was registered at Badshahpur police station on March 30, 2024, in which it was alleged that Elvish Yadav and Rahul Fazilpuria used snakes and other animals of protected species in their music videos. These allegations were made under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Animal Cruelty Act, 1960. Of these, Section 51 of the Wildlife Act was considered a Scheduled Offence, on the basis of which ED started investigation under money laundering.
ED investigation revealed that Rahul Fazilpuriya had uploaded a Haryanvi song named 32 Bore on his YouTube channel, in which real snakes and iguanas were shown. Whereas Elvish Yadav had uploaded a video on his channel Elvish Yadav Vlogs. Fazilpuria Bhai’s shoot saw a Russian meeting in which the same wild animals were seen. These videos are made by Sky Digital India Pvt. Ltd. Uploaded on YouTube and generated revenue.
who earned how much
ED says that these videos were made to increase followers and earn profits and the income earned from them is illegal income. The entire trail of money also came to light in the ED investigation. Fazilpuria was acquired by Sky Digital India Pvt. Ltd, which was deposited in his IndusInd Bank account. Sky Digital earned $1477.83 from this song through YouTube. At the same time, about Rs 84,000 was earned from Elvish Yadav’s vlog.
ED froze accounts
ED said that Elvish Yadav himself has accepted this earning. ED has also frozen the accounts of him, Fazilpuria and Sky Digital. Sky Digital India Pvt. Ltd uploaded and monetized the video. Company director Gurkaran Singh Dhillon himself admitted that he had paid Rs 50 lakh through bank transfer. The company is also accused of violating money laundering rules.
In September 2024, ED attached a total of properties worth Rs 52.49 lakh in this case, which includes agricultural land in Bijnor of Fazilpuria, which is worth Rs 50 lakh. Apart from this, Sky Digital’s FD of Rs 1.24 lakh and Elvish Yadav’s FD of Rs 84,000.
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