The Enforcement Directorate has filed a chargesheet against YouTuber Elvish Yadav and singer Fazilpuria for allegedly using protected snakes and exotic animals in videos, linking them to a Rs 50 lakh money laundering and wildlife crime case.
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GURUGRAM: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet against YouTuber Siddharth Yadav, popularly known as Elvish Yadav, and singer Rahul Yadav, better known as Fazilpuria, in connection with a money laundering case related to the alleged illegal use of protected wildlife species in their video productions.
According to official sources, the prosecution complaint was filed on October 13 before a special PMLA court in Gurugram, Haryana. The court is yet to take cognisance of the chargesheet
Who Has Been Named in the Chargesheet?
The ED has named the following as accused:
- Elvish Yadav (28) – YouTuber and Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner
- Rahul Yadav alias Fazilpuria (35) – Singer and music producer
- Sky Digital India Pvt. Ltd. – A digital content management company
- Gurkaran Singh Dhaliwal – Director of Sky Digital India Pvt. Ltd.
According to the ED, Sky Digital India managed and monetised the online content of Fazilpuria, including the music videos and promotional materials uploaded to YouTube and other digital platforms.
The Alleged Crime
The Enforcement Directorate’s probe revealed that both Yadav and Fazilpuria used protected wildlife species, including snakes and an iguana, in their videos to gain views and followers.
- Elvish Yadav allegedly uploaded a vlog titled “Fazilpuria Bhai Ke Shoot Pe Russian Se Mulakat Ho Hi Gayi @fazilpuria” on March 23, 2023, which depicted live snakes and an iguana.
- Fazilpuria is accused of featuring similar protected animals in his music video titled “32 BORE.”
These acts, the agency claims, violated Section 51 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act and generated proceeds of crime under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
ED’s Findings and Attachments
The ED has accused Elvish Yadav of generating ₹84,000 through monetisation of the offending video, while Fazilpuria allegedly earned over ₹50 lakh through similar means.
The agency has provisionally attached:
- A land property worth ₹50 lakh belonging to Fazilpuria in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh
- A fixed deposit worth ₹84,000 in the name of Elvish Yadav
The ED stated:
“Yadav and Fazilpuria illegally used protected species of snakes and exotic animals such as iguanas in commercial videos to increase their followers and generate money. These videos were uploaded through Sky Digital India Pvt. Ltd. for revenue generation.”
Previous Investigations and Arrests
Both Elvish Yadav and Fazilpuria have been questioned multiple times by the ED’s Lucknow zonal office. The agency took cognisance of two earlier FIRs, one filed by the Noida Police (Gautam Buddh Nagar) and another by the Gurugram Police.
Yadav had previously been arrested by Noida Police in connection with similar allegations under the NDPS Act, Wildlife Protection Act, and Indian Penal Code (IPC).