Elvish Yadav: Trial court proceedings against Elvish Yadav stayed, notice issued to UP government and complainant

Giving a big relief to YouTuber Elvish Yadav, the Supreme Court has put a stay on the criminal proceedings related to snake venom going on against him for the time being. Elvish Yadav had challenged the charge sheet and the trial process in this case. Hearing this, the Supreme Court has sent a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and the complainant and sought a reply. Now the case will not be heard in the lower court till the next hearing.

What is the matter?

Noida Police had registered a case against some people, including Elvish Yadav, accusing them of using snake venom at the party. It was alleged that he had used snakes and poison illegally at a party. The charge sheet was filed in this case after investigation by the Forest Department and the police. Elvish Yadav filed a petition in the Supreme Court saying that false and unsubstantiated allegations have been made against him. He says that he is innocent and has been falsely implicated.

Notice issued to the UP government and the complainant

Justice M.M. A bench of Justices Sundresh and Joymalya Bagchi issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and complainant Gaurav Gupta on Elvish Yadav's plea challenging the chargesheet and criminal proceedings against him in the case. The apex court was hearing Yadav's appeal against the Allahabad High Court order dismissing his plea. The chargesheet alleges consumption of snake venom for entertainment at rave parties by foreigners and others.

Arrested by Noida Police in March last year

Elvish Yadav was arrested by the Noida Police in March last year in the case. His counsel in the case had argued in the high court that apart from no causal link being established between the applicant and the co-accused, no snake, narcotic, or psychoactive substance was recovered from him. The counsel had further submitted that though the informant is no longer an animal welfare officer, he had still lodged an FIR claiming himself to be an animal welfare officer. Describing Elvish Yadav as a well-known influencer and a person who has appeared on several reality shows on television, the lawyer had said that his involvement in the FIR has attracted a lot of media attention.