By Khabar Rojana 
On May 12, 2025, the Allahabad High Court dismissed YouTuber Elvish Yadav’s plea to quash the chargesheet and summons issued against him in the ongoing “snake venom” case. The court’s decision signifies a significant legal setback for Yadav, who faces serious allegations under multiple laws.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Verdict | May 12, 2025 |
| Court | Allahabad High Court |
| Judge | Justice Saurabh Srivastava |
| Accused | Elvish Yadav, YouTuber and Bigg Boss OTT winner |
| Allegations | Misuse of snakes and snake venom, organizing rave parties, supplying drugs |
| Charges | Wildlife Protection Act, IPC, NDPS Act |
| FIR Filed At | Sector-49 Police Station, Noida, Gautam Buddha Nagar |
| Summons Issued By | First Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Gautam Buddha Nagar |
Justice Saurabh Srivastava observed that both the FIR and the chargesheet contain statements implicating Yadav. The court emphasized that the veracity of these allegations should be examined during the trial. Notably, Yadav had not challenged the FIR itself in his petition, which the court found significant.
Yadav’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate Navin Sinha and Advocate Nipun Singh, contended that:
- The FIR was filed by an individual not legally authorized under the Wildlife Protection Act.
- Yadav was not present at the party where the alleged incidents occurred.
- No snakes, venom, or drugs were recovered from Yadav.
They argued that these points undermined the validity of the charges against him.
Additional Advocate General Manish Goyal, representing the state, countered that investigations revealed Yadav had supplied snakes to individuals from whom snake venom was recovered. This connection formed a basis for the charges against him.
| Law | Sections | Offenses |
|---|---|---|
| Wildlife Protection Act | 9, 39, 48A, 49, 50, 51 | Illegal possession and use of wildlife |
| Indian Penal Code (IPC) | 284, 289, 120B | Negligent conduct, public nuisance, criminal conspiracy |
| NDPS Act | 8, 22, 29, 30, 32 | Drug-related offenses |
The case originated from allegations that Yadav organized rave parties where snake venom and other intoxicants were consumed. An FIR was registered at Sector-49 Police Station in Noida, leading to a chargesheet and subsequent summons.
Prior to this, Yadav had approached the Allahabad High Court seeking to dismiss the chargesheet and summons. His plea was based on arguments regarding the legitimacy of the FIR and lack of direct evidence.
The High Court concluded that the allegations against Yadav require thorough examination during the trial. It emphasized that the trial court is the appropriate forum to assess the evidence and determine the validity of the charges.
With the High Court’s dismissal of his plea, Yadav must now face the trial proceedings. The charges, if proven, carry significant legal consequences under the invoked statutes.
The case has garnered substantial media coverage, partly due to Yadav’s celebrity status. This attention has sparked discussions about the responsibilities of public figures and the legal implications of their actions.
This case underscores the judiciary’s approach to ensuring that allegations, especially those involving public figures, are subjected to due legal processes without prejudice.
The trial court in Gautam Buddha Nagar will proceed with the case, examining the evidence and testimonies to determine Yadav’s culpability.
The Allahabad High Court’s decision marks a pivotal point in the legal proceedings against Elvish Yadav. As the case moves to trial, it will serve as a test of the legal system’s ability to handle complex cases involving public personalities and serious allegations.
Raveena Kumari