A famous, viral YouTuber just went viral for all the wrong reasons.
And his antics landed him behind bars.
According to the Times of India and Agence France-Presse (AFP), Kodam Pranay Kumar, a YouTuber from India, is in serious legal jeopardy after posting a video in which he cooked a peacock curry.
The video, which has since been removed from his channel, led to his arrest under India’s strict wildlife protection laws, according to the report.
Peacocks are a national symbol in India and it is illegal to hunt or otherwise harm them under the nation’s Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
Kumar’s video drew widespread backlash, with social media users accusing him of promoting illegal wildlife consumption and showing disrespect for a revered national emblem.
Akhil Mahajan, police superintendent in Telangana, told AFP that Kumar was detained Monday after investigators found additional videos on his mobile phone confirming that the bird in question was indeed a peacock.
The YouTuber has been placed in jail on a 14-day remand, with a court set to decide whether he will be granted bail or remain incarcerated.
Investigators are now looking into how Kumar managed to obtain the peacock, a species that has become increasingly rare in the wild due to rapid urbanization and habitat loss.
The peacock’s iconic status in Indian culture, coupled with their reduced numbers, has led to the imposition of more strict legislative measures.
According to Wildlife SOS, violations of India’s Wildlife Protection Act can result in harsh penalties, like steep fines and incarceration for up to seven years, depending on the offense.