Top Court Stays Trial Against YouTuber Elvish Yadav In Snake Venom Case

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted an interim stay on trial court proceedings against YouTuber Elvish Yadav in a case alleging that he misused snakes and snake venom for a YouTube video and was involved in organising rave parties where foreigners were allegedly supplied snake venom and other intoxicating drugs.

A bench of Justice MM Sundresh and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued notice in a plea against Allahabad High Court's order dated May 12, 2025, which had dismissed Yadav's petition challenging the chargesheet and summoning order issued in a case under various provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, IPC, and NDPS Act.

The Supreme Court tagged the matter with another case by a complainant seeking protection which is kept for hearing on August 29. 

Senior Advocate Mukta Gupta for Yadav requested an interim stay in the meantime after contending that NDPS case is not made out against Yadav and there is non-compliance with statutory provisions.

The case was listed before the trial court for framing of charges on Friday.

Yadav moved the top court after the Allahabad High Court had dismissed his plea against the chargesheet filed in the FIR against him, which alleged that snakes and snake venom were misused by him to make YouTube videos.

The allegations against him also include organising rave parties and inviting foreigners who make people consume snake venom and other drugs.

A bench of Justice Saurabh Srivastava had in May this year dismissed his plea while orally remarking that there are statements in the chargesheet and FIR against Elvish Yadav, and the veracity of such allegations will be examined during the trial.