Supreme Court Stays Trial Against YouTuber Elvish Yadav In Viral Snake Venom Party Case
Supreme Court Today (Aug 6) stayed criminal trial against influencer Elvish Yadav over allegations of using snake venom at rave parties. The court has issued a notice to the UP government seeking its reply.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India stopped (stayed) the criminal trial against famous YouTuber and reality show star Elvish Yadavalso known as Siddharthin a controversial case.
He was accused of arranging rave parties where foreigners were allegedly invited and snake venom was used as a party drug.
The matter was heard by Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice N.K. Singhwho also sent a notice to the Uttar Pradesh Government after Yadav filed a plea against the criminal charges under the Wild Life (Protection) Act and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Yadav’s lawyer strongly argued that the charges under the NDPS Act are not applicable. They claimed the law was misused in this case.
He is also accused of using snakes in his YouTube videos. Earlier in May, the Allahabad High Court had refused to cancel the criminal case against Elvish Yadav. Yadav had told the court that the person who filed the FIR was not a legally authorized officer under the Wild Life (Protection) Act.
He also claimed that he was being targeted only because he is an “influencer” and is seen on “reality shows”. His lawyers argued that the police added harsh sections of the NDPS Act “to sensationalize the case” just because of his fame.
However, the High Court did not accept these arguments.
It clearly stated:
“His popularity cannot be basis of extension of protection”
and added:
“As per law of the land, each and every person irrespective of his popularity or personality are equal in the eye of law.”
Unhappy with the High Court’s decision, Elvish Yadav went to the Supreme Court.
Case Background
The case is based on a First Information Report (FIR) filed at Sector-49 Police Station in Noida. The police filed a chargesheet against Elvish Yadav with serious charges under several laws:
- Wildlife Protection Act: Sections 9, 39, 48A, 49, 50, and 51
- Indian Penal Code (IPC): Sections 284, 289, and 120B
- NDPS Act: Sections 8, 22, 29, 30, and 32
The First Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate of Gautam Buddha Nagar had reviewed the charges and ordered Yadav to appear in court.
Senior Advocate Navin Sinha argued that the FIR itself was illegal because the person who filed it was not in a valid position to do so. He pointed out that the informant was no longer an Animal Welfare Officer when the case was filed.
Yadav’s legal team also claimed that:
- No snake venom, narcoticsor drugs were found with Elvish Yadav.
- He was not even present at the party where the alleged crime happened.
- The police acted in media pressure because of his fame.
- Harsh sections like 27 and 27A of the NDPS Act were added to the case after his arrest, but they were later removed due to lack of evidence.
- In June 2023Yadav was invited to shoot a music video with snakesbut the snakes were non-poisonous pets owned by the song’s producers.
They also argued that since no harm was done to any person or animalthe Wildlife and NDPS laws should not apply.
In reply, Manish Goyalthe Additional Advocate General for UPsaid that the investigation had clearly shown Yadav provided the snakes used in the incident. He told the court these arguments should be tested during the trialnot at this stage.
The High Court had also said that the charges in the FIR and the chargesheet must be examined during trialand since Yadav did not challenge the FIR, the case must proceed.
It added:
“Each and every person irrespective of his popularity or personality are equal in the eye of law.”
- Elvish Yadav was represented in the Supreme Court by Senior Advocate Mukta Gupta, along with Advocates Raman Yadav and Aman Jha.
CASE TITLE:
Elvish Yadav @ Siddharth vs State of U.P. and Anr.
SLP(Crl) No. 11480/2025
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