Supreme Court stays trial against Elvish Yadav in snake venom case

The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed the criminal trial against YouTuber Elvish Yadav @ Siddharth in a case accusing him of organizing rave parties where foreigners were invited and snake venom was used as a recreational drug.

The Bench of Justice MM Sundresh and Justice NK Singh also issued a notice to Uttar Pradesh government on Yadav's petition challenging the criminal proceedings against him under Wild Life (Protection) Act and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

The counsel representing Yadav argued that provisions of NDPS Act were not made out in the case.

Yadav is also accused of using snakes in his videos.

Allahabad High Court in May this year had declined to quash the proceedings against Yadav, who had argued that a competent officer had not lodged a complaint under Wild Life (Protection) Act.

He had also argued that the provisions of the NDPS Act had been invoked to sensationalize the case since Yadav is an "influencer" and appears on reality shows.

However, the High Court had opined that his popularity cannot be basis of extension of protection and as per law of the land, each and every person irrespective of his popularity or personality are equal in the eye of law.

This led to the appeal before the top court.