ED attaches Elvish Yadav, Fazilpuria's Rs 52 lakh assets in money laundering and snake venom case
Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached assets worth Rs 52.5 lakh and bank accounts in its ongoing investigation into money laundering involving YouTuber Siddharth Yadav, known as Elvish Yadav, singer Rahul Yadav, also known as Fazilpuria, and Sky Digital India Pvt Ltd. The assets include agricultural plots in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana, following a provisional order issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), a TOI report stated.
Elvish Yadav Snake Venom Case
The inquiry began after two FIRs were registered against Yadav and Fazilpuria for allegedly using and trading snake venom illegally. The ED launched its investigation after police in Noida and Gurgaon filed complaints under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
Details of the FIRs
An FIR was filed against Elvish in Noida after the police arrested agents involved in supplying snakes and snake venom for parties. A second FIR was registered in Gurgaon against both Elvish and Rahul in connection with their alleged use of snakes in music videos and vlogs, which raised concerns about animal cruelty.
Arrest and Subsequent Developments
On March 17, Noida police arrested Elvish Yadav in the snake venom case. However, he was released on bail. In July, ED officers questioned Elvish at their Lucknow headquarters.
“During the investigation, officials found that both accused had used species of snakes and exotic animals, such as iguanas,
