Supreme Court reprimands Elvish Yadav in snake poison case, bans violation of Wildlife Act
The Supreme Court, while hearing the petition of Elvish Yadav in the alleged snake venom case, reprimanded him and said that if the protected species is misused, it will send a “bad message”. The bench said it would investigate the complaint under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday, while hearing the petition challenging the charge sheet and criminal proceedings of YouTuber Elvish Yadav, strongly reprimanded him. alleged snake poison case.
A bench of Justices MM Sundaresh and N Kotishwar Singh made it clear that the complaint will be investigated under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. During the hearing, the court remarked, “If a famous person like you is allowed to use a helpless animal like this, it will send a bad message to the public. We have to look at the provisions of the Wildlife Act. We should not kill or harm snakes, they are a protected species.”
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Senior advocate Mukta Gupta, appearing for Yadav, argued that the snakes did not belong to him and he had only made a guest appearance in a music video. She submitted that the animal was bought and handled by other people involved in the shooting, and a separate FIR was related to another case.
Gupta further said that the manufacturer had obtained the necessary permissions and the snakes used were without venom sacs and teeth.
However, Justice Sundaresh pressed the point and asked, “You cannot say that you will do whatever you want. Did you handle the snake or not?”
The bench directed the prosecution to first file a report clarifying whether the requisite permission was taken. The court said that even though there was a closure report in the FIR, it was still concerned about the complaint under the Wildlife (Protection) Act. “Even if the FIR is closed, we are concerned about the complaint under the Wildlife Protection Act. Even if there is a closure report in the FIR, we have to see it,” the court said.
Complainant’s lawyer pointed to the statements in the charge sheet And the government’s counter affidavit claimed that the python involved had its venom sac intact and was venomous.
Justice Singh questioned the claim, asking, “How can pythons be poisonous? They strangle their prey.” Justice Sundaresh said the court would examine the validity of the complaint and whether there was any violation of law.
The bench has adjourned the matter while directing to file the report within two weeks.
All about snake venom case
Yadav is under investigation in the Noida snake poisoning case, where he was accused of being linked to the alleged Use of snake venom in rave parties In Noida. In November 2023, an NGO conducted a sting operation in Noida and alleged that snake venom was being supplied for use as a recreational drug at parties.
A complaint was filed, claiming that cobras and other protected snake species were being used and the venom was being extracted illegally. The case was registered under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code. A week later, he was granted bail on a bond of Rs 50,000.
