ED Seizes ₹52.49 Lakh In Assets From YouTuber Elvish Yadav For Illegal Snake Use In Music Videos

On September 26, 2024, it was reported that properties worth ₹52.49 lakh were provisionally seized by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a wildlife crime case involving the illegal use of snakes and exotic animals in music videos and vlogs.

The action was taken following a case that was registered in May under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), based on an FIR and charge sheet filed against popular YouTuber Siddharth Yadav, known as Elvish Yadav.

Photo Credit: PTI

The seized assets include agricultural land located in Bijnor district, Uttar Pradesh, as well as bank accounts. The properties are linked to Elvish Yadav, Rahul Yadav (alias Fazilpuria), and Sky Digital India Pvt. Ltd., as noted in an ED statement.

Background of the Cases

The investigation arose from two separate police cases initiated in Noida and Badshahpur, Haryana, between November 2023 and March 2024. The first case followed a sting operation conducted by Noida police that uncovered agents supplying snakes and venom for private events. The second case accused Yadav and others of using snakes in music videos, thereby violating wildlife protection laws.

According to ED investigators, the illegal use of protected snake species and exotic animals, such as iguanas, was engaged in by both Rahul Yadav and Elvish Yadav to enhance social media followings and generate revenue. The music videos were produced by Sky Digital India Pvt. Ltd. and distributed on YouTube.

The ED stated, "Proceeds of Crime linked to this activity have been identified, and both movable and immovable properties belonging to Rahul Yadav, Elvish Yadav, and M/s Sky Digital India Pvt. Ltd. have been attached."

On April 6, Gautam Buddh Nagar police filed a 1,200-page chargesheet against Yadav and seven others, nearly six months after the initial FIR was registered. The chargesheet detailed instances of snake smuggling and the use of snake venom at parties. However, it was later revealed that charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act had been dropped, with police acknowledging it was a "mistake" on their part.