Supreme Court to Scrutinize Wildlife Act Complaint Against YouTuber Elvish Yadav in Snake Venom Case
The Supreme Court of India has indicated that it will examine a complaint filed against controversial YouTuber Elvish Yadav under the Wildlife (Protection) Act in the high-profile snake venom case. During a hearing on Wednesday, the apex court expressed grave concerns, stating that if popular individuals are permitted to exploit "voiceless victims" such as snakes, it could send a "very bad message" to society at large.
Court's Stern Warning on Wildlife Exploitation
A bench comprising Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh was hearing a plea filed by Yadav challenging the chargesheet and criminal proceedings initiated against him. The bench posed pointed questions to Yadav's legal counsel, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations. "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 bench inquired.
The justices further elaborated, "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." This strong stance underscores the court's intent to uphold wildlife protection laws rigorously, especially when public figures are involved.
Background of the Case and Legal Arguments
Elvish Yadav, a well-known influencer and reality TV personality, was booked in November 2023 and subsequently arrested on March 17, 2024. The allegations stem from an incident at a rave party in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, where he is accused of using snake venom as a recreational drug. The chargesheet details the consumption of snake venom at such parties, implicating various individuals, including foreigners.
Senior advocate Mukta Gupta, representing Yadav, presented a robust defense. She argued that Yadav had merely attended the event for a guest appearance in a video featuring singer Fazilpuria. Gupta contended that there was no concrete evidence of a rave party or the consumption of any scheduled psychotropic substances. She further stated that Yadav was not present at the alleged location and highlighted medical reports indicating that the nine snakes examined were not venomous.
However, the counsel for the state presented a contrasting narrative. They submitted that police had rescued nine snakes, including five cobras, and discovered suspected snake venom intended for use at rave parties. The Supreme Court has directed the state's counsel to provide clarifications on how snake venom is extracted and allegedly utilized in such settings.
Procedural Developments and Media Attention
The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on March 19, 2024. Previously, on August 6, 2023, the Supreme Court had stayed the trial court proceedings against Yadav, pending the outcome of this appeal. Yadav's legal team has also raised procedural issues, arguing that the informant in the case was no longer an animal welfare officer at the time of filing the FIR, yet presented himself as one.
Yadav's counsel emphasized his client's status as a "well-known influencer" with appearances on multiple reality television shows, noting that his involvement in this case has attracted significant media attention. This aspect highlights the broader societal impact when celebrities are entangled in legal controversies involving wildlife and narcotics.
The case raises critical questions about wildlife protection, celebrity accountability, and the enforcement of environmental laws in India. As the Supreme Court prepares to delve deeper into the complaint under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, its decision could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, reinforcing the protection of voiceless animal victims against exploitation.
