SC Quashes FIR, Proceedings Against Elvish Yadav In Snake Venom Case
Top court quashes FIR, ends proceedings against YouTuber.
The Supreme Court of India has quashed the FIR and all related proceedings against popular YouTuber Elvish Yadav in the high-profile snake venom case, marking a major legal victory for the Bigg Boss OTT winner. Elvish faced allegations stemming from a 2023 Noida sting operation by an NGO, which claimed snake venom was supplied for recreational use at rave parties attended by him and others, including foreigners.
Named an accused in a November 2023 FIR under the Wildlife Protection Act, IPC, and NDPS Act, he was arrested in March 2024 and later granted bail. The chargesheet accused him of links to venom procurement and party consumption, though Elvish maintained he was falsely implicated.
In his plea challenging the chargesheet's validity, Elvish argued insufficient evidence tied him directly to wildlife violations or drug use. Senior counsel asserted the snakes involved were non-venomous, permissions existed for video shoots, and medical reports cleared him. Earlier hearings saw the court criticize potential misuse of protected species like cobras, warning of a "bad message" from celebrity involvement, but proceedings remained stayed since August 2025.
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A bench led by Justices M.M. Sundresh and N. Kotiswar Singh ultimately found inadequate material to sustain the case, quashing it entirely on March 19, 2026. The ruling emphasized procedural fairness, rejecting overreach by investigators amid claims of venom extraction methods and party links lacking forensic backing.
This outcome ends a nearly three-year ordeal that thrust Elvish into legal and public scrutiny, boosting his defiance narrative among fans while drawing animal rights criticism. No further probes were ordered, closing chapters on the alleged supplier network.
The verdict highlights tensions between celebrity influence, wildlife enforcement, and evidence standards in India. Elvish celebrated online, vowing focus on content creation, as legal experts note it may deter sensational probes without solid proof.
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