Snake venom case: Complainants allege Elvish Yadav gave ‘life threats’, seek protection

Brothers Sourabh and Gaurav Gupta filed a plea in the Punjab and Haryana HC, which issued a notice to the Haryana government.

Published on: Mar 22, 2024, 13:04:10 IST

By HT News Desk, New Delhi

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Two animal rights activists, complainants in the snake venom case involving YouTuber Elvish Yadav, moved Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking police protection after he allegedly gave them ‘life threats.’

Also Read: Noida Police arrest YouTuber Elvish Yadav in snake venom case

In their plea, brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Gupta, claimed they got ‘threat calls,’ and pressurised to withdraw their complaint. The Guptas, residents of Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, also mentioned in their plea that they are members of Union minister Maneka Gandhi’s People for Animals (PFA) organisation.

“We recorded Yadav’s video and got an FIR filed against him for using snake venom as drug in rave parties,” they stated, referring to the case from November last year.

Also Read: Close aide of Elvish among two more arrested in snake venom case

Taking up the matter, the bench of Justice Jasjit Singh Bedi issued a notice to the Haryana government, and fixed April 18 as the next date of hearing.

Yadav, who courted a fresh controversy recently after picking up a ‘fight’ with fellow YouTuber Sagar Thakur, better known as ‘Maxtern,’ was arrested on March 17 in the snake venom case. He has been booked under the Wildlife Protection Act, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPC) Act, and Sections 284 (negligent conduct related to poison that endangers safety) and 289 (negligent conduct with respect to animals) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Also Read: Elvish Yadav's 5 biggest controversies, including snake venom case and fight with Maxtern

The said rave party was held at Noida’s sector 51. Police had recovered nine snakes – five cobras, one python, two sand snakes and one rat snake – protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, and a small 20 ml tube of suspected snake venom, from six accused, including the Bigg Boss OTT Season 2 winner.

Separately, a medical report from the veterinary department had revealed that the venom glands of all nine snakes were missing and so were the fangs of eight snakes.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Elvish Yadav

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.