What is the snake venom drug case against Elvish Yadav and how it is abused at rave parties
Bigg Boss OTT sensation Elvish Yadav found himself in hot water after being arrested in a snake venom-rave party scandal, leading to his remand in 14-day judicial custody.
The Wildlife Act charges levelled against the 26-year-old YouTube star stem from the alleged organisation of rave parties in Noida, a claim that Yadav admitted.
The case came to the light with accusations of snake venom being used as a recreational drug at Noida rave gatherings last year, with Yadav arranging the venom’s presence at these events and even featuring snakes in his video shoots. Yadav who initially denied any involvement in the snake venom controversy, disclosed his interactions with the accused at various rave gatherings and admitted to maintaining contact with them, as per sources. Following his arrest, Yadav was remanded in 14-day judicial custody.
How was the crime unfolded?
A police raid on a Noida Sector 51 banquet hall last November exposed a snake smuggling ring, resulting in the arrest of five individuals, including four snake charmers, who were caught supplying venom to the Elvish. The haul included nine snakes, including cobras and other poisonous reptiles.
A sting operation conducted by NGO People For Animals played a pivotal role in unravelling the racket, linking Yadav to the snake venom scandal. The accused individuals claimed they supplied venom at parties allegedly hosted by Yadav, further complicating the situation for the 26-year-old YouTuber.
Ministers raised concerns
Amid the controversy, questions arose regarding Yadav’s association with snakes in his videos, with the star earlier attributing their arrangement to Bollywood singer Fazilpuria. However, former Union minister Maneka Gandhi and PFA member Gaurav Gupta raised concerns about Yadav’s alleged involvement in illicit snake venom dealings, urging swift action against him.
What is a rave party?
Snake venom addiction, a perilous form of substance abuse characterised by intentional exposure to venom for intoxication, poses severe risks to users due to its neurotoxic effects. The venom can induce a range of symptoms like intoxication due to the neurotoxins present in it. Facing charges under the Wildlife Act, Yadav now confronts additional allegations under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. Section 29 of the stringent law.
