Explained: Addiction to snake venom and the case against YouTuber Elvish Yadav
Elvish Yadav arrested: Elvish Yadav has been booked under the Wildlife Act in Noida for arranging snake venom in rave parties.
Bigg Boss OTT winner Elvish Yadav was arrested in the snake venom-rave party case and sent to 14-day judicial custody on Sunday. Mr Yadav has been booked under the Wildlife Act in Noida for arranging snake venom at rave parties. The 26-year-old YouTuber, who initially denied any involvement in the case, has now admitted that he had arranged for snake venom to be administered at rave parties, police sources said.
What is the matter?
The case pertains to the alleged use of snake venom as a recreational drug at rave parties in Noida last year. Mr Yadav is accused of arranging snake venom at his parties and using snakes in his video shoots.
The police had busted a snake smuggling racket by raiding a banquet hall in Noida Sector 51 in November last year. Five people, including four snake charmers, were arrested from the banquet hall on charges of supplying snake venom. Nine snakes including cobra and poison were also recovered from them.
Subsequent forensic analysis of the samples taken from that location showed the use of cobra and krait species venom.
This success came after a trap laid by People for Animals, an NGO.
A rave party is a lively dance party focused on youth-oriented rave culture, which often gets into trouble with the authorities due to drug use and safety concerns.
How is Elvish Yadav involved?
Sources said that when asked about the snakes in his video shoot, Mr Yadav told the police that they were arranged by Bollywood singer Fazilpuriya.
Five people arrested in the case have told police that they allegedly used to supply snake venom at rave parties organized by Elvish Yadav.
His arrest came after PFA member Gaurav Gupta complained to the police that he had contacted Elvish Yadav for snake venom as part of a trap. Police said that during the call, Mr Gupta was given a phone number following which he contacted the five accused.
