In a significant development on April 18, 2024, the Punjab and Haryana High Court addressed the ongoing saga surrounding the snake venom case involving popular YouTuber Elvish Yadav. During the hearing, the court directed the city police to ensure the safety of two brothers associated with the People for Animals (PFA) NGO. These activists had filed a complaint last November against Yadav and five others, alleging their involvement in supplying snake venom to rave parties in Noida.
The court’s directive came in response to a petition filed by brothers Saurabh Gupta and Gaurav Gupta, who sought police protection citing threats they received after lodging the complaint. Justice Jasjit Singh Bedi emphasized the need for adequate security arrangements whenever the activists are required to appear in court in Gurgaon. Additionally, the court clarified that any threats or related matters should be addressed in the appropriate Uttar Pradesh court, considering the origin of the allegations.
For those unfamiliar with the case, the Gupta brothers filed separate complaints against Elvish Yadav, with Saurabh’s complaint registered with Gurgaon Police and Gaurav’s with Noida police. Their investigation involved posing as organizers of rave parties, leading to the exposure of illicit activities allegedly involving Yadav. This led to a raid on a rave party in Noida’s Sector 51, resulting in the seizure of nine snakes and 20 ml of snake venom.
The Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner, whose identity is undisclosed in legal proceedings, was arrested by Noida Police on March 17 in connection with the case. After spending over a week in custody, he was granted bail. Charges against him include violations of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the Wildlife Protection Act, and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). This case has garnered significant attention due to its high-profile nature and the implications of wildlife and narcotic-related offenses.