Court slams Elvish Yadav in Snake Venom Case; "Very Bad Message" to Society

Things might get difficult for Elvish Yadav in the coming days as The Supreme Court has indicated that it would examine a complaint against the YouTuberunder the Wildlife (Protection) Act in the snake venom case. As per a report in PTI, On Wednesday, the Supreme Court stated that if popular persons are allowed to use "voiceless victims" like snakes, it could send a "very bad message" to society.The controversial YouTuber was charged in November 2023 and later arrested on March 17, 2024, over allegations that snake venom was used at a rave party in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. A bench comprising Justices M. M. Sundresh and N. Kotiswar Singh was hearing a petition filed by Yadav, in which he challenged the chargesheet and the criminal case initiated against him.The bench asked Elvish Yadav's lawyer, "If popular persons are allowed to use "voiceless victims" like snakes, it could send a very bad message to the society... You take the snake and play around. Did you deal with the snake or not?"Can you go to the zoo and play with animals there? Will it not be an offence? You can't say that you'll do whatever you want. We are concerned with the complaint under the Wildlife (Protection) Act."The PTI report further mentioned that senior advocate Mukta Gupta, who was representing Yadav, told the court that the YouTuber had attended the event only to make a guest appearance in a video by singer Fazilpuria. She argued that there was no proof of a rave party taking place or of any banned psychotropic substance being consumed. She further stated that Elvish was not at the alleged spot and added that medical reports showed the nine snakes examined were non-venomous.The lawyer representing the state told the court that the police had recovered nine snakes, including five cobras, and had also found what they believed to be snake venom allegedly used at rave parties.The Supreme Court asked the state’s counsel to clarify how snake venom is extracted and in what manner it is supposedly used at such events.The matter has now been scheduled for the next hearing on March 19.Earlier, on August 6 last year, the apex court had put a stay on the trial court proceedings against Yadav in this case.According to the chargesheet, snake venom was allegedly consumed as a recreational drug at rave parties attended by several people, including foreigners.The counsel had argued before the high court that no snakes, narcotic drugs, or psychotropic substances were recovered from Yadav. He also stated that there was no direct connection established between the applicant and the co-accused in the case.The lawyer further submitted that the informant was no longer serving as an animal welfare officer but had filed the FIR presenting himself as one.Describing Yadav as a well-known influencer who has appeared on several television reality shows, the counsel said that his name being mentioned in the FIR attracted significant media attention.