Indian YouTuber Elvish Yadav arrested for allegedly supplying snake venom as party drug

In a shocking turn of events, Elvish Yadav, the popular Indian YouTuber with a massive following of 15 million subscribers, has been detained under the Wildlife Act on allegations of supplying snake venom as a recreational drug at rave parties. The news sent shockwaves through both his fanbase and the online community, as Yadav's rise to fame seemed to have taken a dark twist.

The saga began with a raid on a party back in November, where suspicions arose regarding the use of snake venom as a drug by partygoers. Subsequently, an investigation was launched, leading to the questioning of five individuals allegedly involved in snake smuggling. These individuals pointed fingers at Yadav, claiming he was the mastermind behind the parties and the snake venom supply chain.

Yadav, known for his charismatic online persona and participation in reality TV shows like the Indian version of Big Brother, Bigg Boss OTT, vehemently denied all charges against him. He expressed his willingness to cooperate fully with the authorities, asserting his innocence in the matter.

However, the evidence seemed to stack against him as the police recovered nine snakes, including cobras, and 20ml of snake venom from the party premises. This discovery led to Yadav being remanded to 14 days of judicial custody, marking a significant downturn in his otherwise flourishing career.

The case came to light following a complaint by an animal welfare organization, People For Animals, alleging that Yadav and others were filming videos involving snakes and snake venom. This revelation added another layer of concern to the already troubling situation.

The use of snake venom as a recreational substance is not a new phenomenon, as highlighted in a 2022 research paper published in the Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine. The paper cited 13 cases of snake venom being used in this manner in India, raising serious public health and safety concerns.

The arrest of Elvish Yadav serves as a stark reminder of the perils of fame and the consequences of alleged involvement in illegal activities. It also underscores the need for greater vigilance and regulation to combat the illicit drug trade, especially concerning substances as dangerous as snake venom.

As the investigation unfolds and the legal proceedings progress, the fate of Elvish Yadav hangs in the balance, leaving both his fans and the general public grappling with the shocking allegations against one of India's most prominent online personalities.