Elvish Yadav, a prominent YouTuber and the victor of Bigg Boss OTT season 2, has been detained by Noida Police due to his alleged involvement in an investigation concerning the use of snake venom at parties.
Arrests Stem from Tip-off
In November 2023, Noida Police acted on a tip provided by People for Animals (PFA), an animal welfare organization established by Maneka Gandhi. The information led to a raid at the Chevron banquet hall in Noida Sector 51, resulting in the apprehension of five individuals accused of distributing snake venom for recreational purposes at gatherings across the National Capital Region (NCR).
Yadav’s Involvement Alleged
Although Yadav’s name was mentioned in the FIR filed by Gaurav Gupta, a PFA animal welfare officer, his arrest did not occur until this recent development. The FIR implicated Yadav in organizing illicit parties where snake venom and exotic animals were purportedly featured alongside fellow YouTubers and associates. Additionally, the FIR mentioned the presence of foreign attendees at these events.
Evidence Collected by Authorities
Following the initial raid, Noida Police interrogated Yadav on two occasions and gathered pertinent evidence. Among the seized items were approximately 20ml of snake venom, various snakes including cobras, pythons, two-headed snakes, and a rat snake, along with samples confirmed to contain krait venom by the Jaipur forensic science laboratory.
Legal Charges and Proceedings
Yadav and the other accused individuals face charges under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) related to criminal conspiracy (120B) and sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act (1972) addressing wildlife trafficking and illegal trade (9, 39, 48A, 49, 50, and 51). Yadav is expected to make a court appearance in the near future.
Social Media Reaction
The incident sparked a flurry of activity on social media following the police raid in November 2023, with numerous speculations and accusations surfacing online. Videos depicting Yadav’s interactions with snakes circulated, intensifying public outcry and calls for his apprehension.
PFA’s Investigative Role
The PFA’s undercover operation played a pivotal role in uncovering the alleged snake venom network. Their efforts led to the arrest of five individuals involved in snake smuggling and the subsequent discovery of snake venom and reptiles associated with Yadav’s gatherings.
Elvish Yadav’s Response
Despite vehemently denying all allegations, Elvish Yadav faces legal consequences as Noida Police proceeded with their investigation and subsequent detention. This incident marks another controversy in Yadav’s career, following recent accusations of assault and attempted murder by fellow YouTuber Maxtern, although the case was later withdrawn reportedly due to a resolution between the parties involved.