NEW DELHI: An FIR has been lodged against prominent YouTuber and Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner, Elvish Yadav, accusing him of being involved in the supply of snake venom at rave parties in the Noida-NCR region. Gaurav Gupta, an Animal Welfare Officer at the People For Animal (PFA) organisation, filed the complaint.
What Is The Case?
The Noida police have apprehended five people on allegations of distributing snake venom at rave gatherings. These arrests followed a sting operation conducted by the People for Animals (PFA) organisation.
Additionally, nine snakes, including cobras, were rescued from the suspects. The police have taken the seized snake venom for examination to determine whether it possesses psychotropic properties capable of producing a drug-like impact on the human body.
The use and ownership of narcotics, encompassing substances derived from snake venom or any other regulated compounds, fall under the jurisdiction of the 1985 Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. Nevertheless, an official has indicated that the NDPS Act has not been applied in this instance since drugs were not discovered at the location of the incident.
Renowned animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi went a step further, alleging that the Big Boss winner not only supplied snake venom to party attendees, both local residents and international visitors but also stressed that such activities violate the Wildlife Protection Act and amount to animal cruelty.
#ElvishYadav: Based on an Animal Welfare Officer’s complaint, Sector-49 Police in Noida has registered a case against YouTuber Elvish Yadav and 5 others for their involvement in a recent party in Sector-51, Noida.
5 individuals: Rahul, Titunath, Jaykaran, Narayan, and Ravinath,… pic.twitter.com/8fIftAdCWm
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) November 3, 2023
Read More: Allegations against me baseless: YouTuber Elvish Yadav on snake venom smuggling row
What Is Elvish Yadav’s Alleged Involvement?
During the interrogation, the five people also asserted that they had been involved in supplying snake venom at rave events purportedly organised by Elvish Yadav.
The People for Animals (PFA) member Gaurav Gupta initiated the operation and alleged in his complaint that he had reached out to Elvish Yadav for the procurement of snake venom.
Ram Badan Singh, who serves as the in-charge Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in Noida, explained, “In his complaint, Gaurav Gupta stated that he had contacted Elvish Yadav for a rave party and to arrange for snakes. Subsequently, Gupta was provided with a contact number, which led to the involvement of these individuals, including snake charmers.”
However, Elvish Yadav has refuted all accusations, dismissing them as groundless and unfounded. He stated, “All these reports and charges against me are fabricated. There is not even a one per cent truth to them, I am fully prepared to cooperate with the Uttar Pradesh police.”
What Are Rave Parties?
A rave party is an energetic, nocturnal electronic dance music event characterised by immersive music, lighting effects, and a sense of communal celebration. These gatherings take place at various venues, with farmhouses often being a favoured option. In India, legal concerns surface due to issues related to drug consumption, noise levels, safety, and breaches of public order, prompting government actions and restrictions.
What Is Snake Venom Addiction?
Snake venom addiction, also referred to as ophidism, is an unconventional and perilous pattern of substance misuse in which a person deliberately subjects themselves to snake venom for recreational gratification. This behaviour is exceptionally hazardous because snake venom exhibits a wide range of compositions, and its consequences can be capricious and potentially fatal.
Prolonged usage can result in both physical and psychological addiction, rendering it an exceedingly hazardous and potentially life-endangering inclination. The use of snake venom as a recreational substance is rare in India and is regarded as exceedingly hazardous and possibly life-threatening.
Read More: Snake venom at rave party: UP Police book Youtuber Elvish Yadav
About Elvish Yadav:
Elvish Yadav gained fame after winning Big Boss OTT, amassing an extensive following of 15.6 million on Instagram and one crore subscribers on YouTube. His earlier content, known for its use of offensive language, primarily consisted of roast videos on his YouTube channel. Despite controversies surrounding his content, he has managed to cultivate a dedicated fan base.
The post-pandemic era has witnessed a notable surge in the careers of social media influencers who garner millions of followers, especially on platforms like Instagram. These influencers leverage their popularity for profitable collaborations and often enjoy devoted followings that fervently support their actions.
A concerning aspect of Elvish Yadav’s content revolves around derogatory jokes, objectification, and the sexualization of women. What’s alarming is that a significant portion of his subscribers are highly impressionable youngsters. Even amidst serious allegations, numerous followers have staunchly defended Elvish Yadav on social media, with some resorting to abusive language directed at Maneka Gandhi.
Furthermore, just a few months ago, Elvish was honoured by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar at his residence for his Big Boss OTT win. This act drew attention at a time when wrestlers, including Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik, were protesting against alleged sexual harassment. The Chief Minister’s apparent preference for an influencer over athletes who have brought glory to the nation highlights potential ignorance toward issues of women’s safety.
The controversy surrounding Elvish Yadav highlights the broader impact of social media influencers on society and the values they promote. This situation calls for a critical examination of the responsibility that accompanies immense popularity and the potential consequences of influential online content.
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