The Supreme Court of India has quashed the FIR and all related proceedings against popular YouTuber Elvish Yadav in the widely discussed snake venom case, bringing a major legal relief to the influencer.
The court, while delivering its verdict, made it clear that the case could not be sustained in law due to serious procedural lapses and lack of valid evidence. A bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and N. Kotiswar Singh observed that the complaint filed under the Wildlife (Protection) Act was not submitted by an authorised person, making the foundation of the case legally weak.
The judges also addressed the application of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, stating that the substance recovered in the case, identified as anti-venom, does not fall under the list of banned or scheduled substances. This observation further weakened the prosecution’s argument.
Additionally, the IPC charges included in the FIR were found to be based on an earlier case registered in Gurugram, which has already been closed with a filing of a closure report. Taking all these factors into account, the Supreme Court ordered the complete quashing of the FIR, the chargesheet, and the trial court proceedings.
The case dates back to November 22, 2023, when Uttar Pradesh Police registered an FIR alleging the use of snake venom as a recreational substance at rave parties in Noida. The matter quickly gained attention due to the alleged involvement of influencers and foreign nationals.
Elvish Yadav was arrested on March 17, 2024, in connection with the case. The chargesheet claimed that snake venom was being consumed during parties, but no direct evidence was recovered from Yadav. His legal team consistently argued that neither snakes nor narcotic substances were found in his possession, and no clear link connected him to the co-accused.
Another key point raised by the defence was that the complainant had allegedly misrepresented himself as an animal welfare officer while filing the FIR, even though he no longer held that position at the time.
Earlier, the Allahabad High Court had refused to quash the charges, terming the allegations serious. However, the Supreme Court had stayed the trial proceedings in August 2025 before finally delivering its verdict now.
This ruling not only clears Elvish Yadav of all charges but also highlights the importance of proper legal procedure and evidence in criminal cases. It reinforces that laws such as the Wildlife Protection Act and NDPS Act must be applied carefully and only when supported by valid grounds.
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The case, which had attracted massive media attention due to Yadav’s popularity as a digital influencer and reality show personality, now comes to a close with the apex court’s decision, marking a significant moment in high-profile legal cases involving social media figures.
Summary:
The Supreme Court has quashed the FIR and all proceedings against Elvish Yadav in the snake venom case, citing lack of authorised complaint, absence of banned substances, and no direct evidence linking him to the allegations.