The Supreme Court strongly criticised YouTuber and Bigg Boss OTT Season 2 winner Elvish Yadav this week, while hearing a plea in the alleged snake venom case linked to a rave party. The court said such conduct by public figures could send a wrong signal to society and stressed concern for wildlife protection.
Elvish Yadav moved the Supreme Court challenging the charge sheet and criminal proceedings filed under the Wildlife (Protection) Act. A bench of Justices MM Sundaresh and N Kotiswar Singh heard the matter and focused on allegations that snakes were used as entertainment props and for suspected venom extraction.
Supreme Court remarks on Elvish Yadav snake venom case
During the hearing, the bench posed sharp questions to Elvish Yadav’s legal team about the alleged handling of snakes. As recorded, the judges remarked, “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?”
The court pressed further on the limits of such conduct, comparing it with how animals are treated in protected spaces. Addressing counsel for Elvish Yadav, the bench asked, “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.”
Arguments and investigation details in Elvish Yadav snake venom case
Senior advocate Mukta Gupta, appearing for Elvish Yadav, argued that Elvish attended the event only as a guest for a video featuring singer Fazilpuria. Gupta submitted that there was no proof of a rave party, nor evidence of consumption of any scheduled psychotropic substance, and claimed Elvish was not at the alleged crime scene.
Gupta also told the court that medical examination reports showed nine seized snakes were not poisonous. However, opposing counsel maintained that police had rescued nine snakes, including five cobras, and recovered suspected snake venom said to be used in rave parties. The Supreme Court has asked the state to explain how snake venom is extracted and allegedly supplied for such events, and fixed the next hearing for March 19.
The Noida case dates back to November 2023, when Elvish Yadav was booked for alleged use of snake venom at a rave party in Uttar Pradesh. Elvish was arrested in March 2024. Trial court proceedings were stayed last year, and in the High Court, Elvish’s lawyers argued that no snakes, narcotics or psychotropic substances were recovered and said his status as a “well known influencer” and reality show participant had drawn extra “media attention” to the FIR.