The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed criminal proceedings against YouTuber and social media influencer Elvish Yadav in the high-profile snake venom case.
The stay comes as a relief for Yadav, who had approached the top court after the Allahabad High Court dismissed his plea challenging the charges against him.
Top Court Issues Notice To UP Govt, Complainant
A bench comprising Justices M M Sundresh and Joymalya Bagchi issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh government and complainant Gaurav Gupta, seeking their response on Yadav’s petition. The court was hearing Yadav’s challenge to the chargesheet and trial court proceedings stemming from an FIR filed last year.
Allegations Linked To Rave Parties
The case revolves around allegations that snake venom was used as a recreational drug during rave parties attended by Indian and foreign nationals. The chargesheet submitted by Noida Police accuses Yadav and others of being linked to such events.
Yadav was arrested in March 2024 in connection with the case. His arrest drew significant media attention, given his popularity on YouTube and appearances on various reality TV shows.
Defence Questions Credibility & Evidence
During earlier hearings in the Allahabad High Court, Yadav’s counsel argued that there was no direct evidence linking him to the alleged crime. “No snakes, narcotic, or psychotropic substances were recovered from the applicant,” the lawyer stated. He also emphasized the lack of any proven connection between Yadav and the co-accused.
Moreover, the defence raised concerns about the complainant’s credentials. Though the FIR was filed by Gaurav Gupta as an Animal Welfare Officer, Yadav’s counsel pointed out that Gupta did not hold that position at the time of filing the complaint.
Case Attracts Widespread Attention
Describing Yadav as a “well-known influencer” with a massive public following, his legal team said the case had attracted disproportionate media coverage. “His name being involved in the FIR drew much media attention,” the counsel noted.
With court’s stay order in place, the trial court proceedings will remain on hold until further notice.
The matter is expected to come up again after the responses from the state government and complainant are received.
(Inputs By Sambhav Sharma)
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