ED Charges YouTuber Elvish Yadav and Singer Fazilpuria in Wildlife Protection Money Laundering Case

Enforcement Directorate has charged YouTuber Elvish Yadav and Haryanvi singer Rahul Yadav, known as Rahul Fazilpuria, in a money laundering case connected to their illegal use of protected wildlife in video content.

The investigation originated from a Haryana Police FIR filed in March of the previous year. The allegations claim both individuals violated the Wildlife Protection Act by featuring snakes and an iguana during the production of a music video.

Investigation authorities reported that protected species appeared in Fazilpuria's music video titled "32 Bore" and in Elvish Yadav's vlog "Fazilpuria Bhai Ke Shoot Pe Russian Se Mulakat Ho Hi Gayi".

According to financial tracking by the ED, the "32 Bore" video generated approximately $1,477 (Rs 1.24 lakh) in YouTube advertising revenue. Google transferred these earnings to Sky Digital India Pvt. Ltd., the company responsible for managing Fazilpuria's musical content and online presence.

The director of Sky Digital confirmed the existence of a 2021 contract with Fazilpuria, revealing an advance payment of Rs 50 lakh for his musical projects. Investigators determined that a portion of these funds financed the production of the "32 Bore" video, thereby classifying the earnings as proceeds of crime under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

To recover equivalent value of the illicit earnings, the ED has attached assets worth approximately Rs 52 lakh, including Fazilpuria's agricultural property, a Rs 1.24 lakh fixed deposit belonging to Sky Digital, and Rs 84,000 held by Elvish Yadav in a fixed deposit.

The agency cited Section 2(1)(u) of the PMLA, which permits authorities to seize property of equivalent value in India or abroad when proceeds of crime are held outside the country.

The ED's investigation concluded that Elvish Yadav, Fazilpuria, and Sky Digital India Pvt. Ltd. all participated in creating content featuring protected wildlife species and generating illegal revenue from these productions.