Bihar’s ‘Snake Man’ Jai Kumar Sahni dies after cobra bite; stories of his daring rescues go viral

Jai Kumar Sahni, famously known as Bihar’s ‘Snake Man’, died on Thursday after being bitten by a venomous cobra while attempting a rescue in Samastipur district. Sahni, a resident of Tajpur’s Harpur Ward Number 3, had earned a reputation as a saviour of snakes, having rescued thousands over the years without any formal training.

A tragic incident has happened in Samastipur, Bihar. A young man named Jai died of snakebite. He used to rescue snakes. He had saved about two thousand snakes. He had gone to rescue a cobra snake in Gunai Bashi Panchayat. The snake bit him, due to which his condition pic.twitter.com/cfKPtidsOC

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@kanchan modi (@kanchanmodi8) May 4, 2025

Sahni was called to a village after locals spotted a poisonous snake. True to his reputation, he responded immediately and began the rescue operation. However, during the process, a cobra bit him on the thumb. As the venom spread rapidly, his condition deteriorated. Despite efforts to rush him to the Sadar Hospital, Sahni succumbed to the bite before reaching medical care.

Sahni’s legacy is marked by his deep affection for animals, particularly snakes. According to his father, Shivlagan Sahni, Jai had shown a fondness for animals since childhood. He became a local hero, often summoned by residents whenever a snake was spotted in homes or fields.

Stories of his daring rescues circulated widely on social media, highlighting his unique ability to handle even the most dangerous serpents without professional guidance or equipment.

His untimely death has left his family-his wife and two young children-in mourning and the community in shock.