According to the police, the suspect would demand large amounts of money in exchange for supplying toxic substances at parties. They also confiscated 20 ml to 25 ml highly intoxicating poisons from the person.
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6 people were charged by the Noida police on Thursday, including Bigg Boss OTT Season 2 winner and YouTuber Elvish Yadav, for allegedly using snakes and snake venom at rave parties. After receiving a complaint, the police intervened on behalf of People for Animals (PFA), an organisation under the leadership of Lok Sabha MP Maneka Gandhi.
They are accused of distributing opioids made from snake venom at a party in Noida, in violation of the Wildlife (Protection) Act and the Indian Penal Code’s criminal conspiracy section. Five of the people listed in the FIR were taken into custody by the police, but Yadav absconded, according to officials.
During a raid at a banquet hall in Noida’s Sector 51, a combined team of Noida Police and the Gautam Budh Nagar district forest department confiscated nine snakes and snake venom. In addition, the police stated that they apprehended five people suspected of being Yadav associates in connection with the incident. These five individuals- Rahul, Titunath, Jayakaran, Narayan, and Ravinath—were arrested by the police.
FIR filed against 6 people including Elvish
The FIR disclosed the acquisition of roughly 20 ml to 25 ml of snake venom in a bottle, as well as the seizure of nine snakes from the suspects. Five cobras, one python, two two-headed snakes (sand snakes), and one rat snake (horseback snake) were among them. According to the FIR, when questioned, the suspects admitted to using these snakes and snake venom at rave parties.
Gaurav Gupta, a member of the PFA, claimed in the police complaint that they were informed about Bigg Boss victor Elvish Yadav hosting rave parties. The alleged events included the regular invitation of foreign women as well as the ingesting of snake venom and intoxicants. Additionally, they learned that Elvish Yadav films videos with live snakes at these rave parties organised at farmhouses in the NCR.
Furthermore, according to the complaint, PFA contacted Elvish Yadav while posing as a potential customer. According to the FIR, an informant contacted Elvish Yadav and requested the organisation of a rave party and the acquisition of cobra venom. Elvish directed them to Rahul, who assured them the venom would be delivered to their preferred location. Rahul then arrived at the Sector 51 Banquet Hall with the venom. The event organisers were arrested after the police, along with the District Forest Officer, intervened at the venue.
Elvish Yadav’s response to the controversy
Elvish Yadav refuted any involvement in the smuggling of snake venom at a Noida rave party. In response to an FIR filed against six people, including himself, for supplying venom, Yadav discussed allegations in an Instagram video, claiming that all accusations against him were false.
He confessed by posting a video on Instagram stating that all the allegations against him were fake and that he was ready to cooperate with the UP police officials. He requested the UP police and Yogi Adityanath that he would take all the responsibility himself if there is even 0.1% of his involvement found in this case. He also requested the media not to ruin his name and spread wrong about him without any solid proof.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzLM455v1Xe/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
What are the legal implications applied?
Sections 9 (Prohibition of hunting), 39 (hunted animals to be government property), 48(A) (restriction on transportation of wildlife), 49 (prohibition of dealings in animal articles), 50 (empowers forest officer to arrest person involved in an offence against the Act), and 51 (violation of Chapter VA of the Act, which can result in imprisonment for up to seven years) of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 apply to the accused individuals. They are also charged under Indian Penal Code section 120B (criminal conspiracy).
