Krait, cobra venom found in samples from rave party

Sumedha Sharma

Gurugram, February 16

In a significant development in the Noida snake venom rave party case, involving Big Boss OTT winner and Gurugram-based YouTuber Elvish Yadav, the Jaipur Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has confirmed the presence of snake venom in samples collected from the party held in November 2023.

The Noida police, leading the investigation, disclosed that forensic analysis has identified the use of venom from cobra and krait species of snakes in the samples seized from the party, allegedly being utilised as drugs.

Yadav has become embroiled in the case due to his purported attendance at the party, and according to complaints filed by animal activists, his alleged provision of snakes and venom recovered from the scene. Despite circulating a music video featuring snakes, Yadav has denied any involvement and has been questioned twice by the Noida police.

During police interrogation, Yadav reportedly informed the authorities that Bollywood singer Fazilpuria had arranged the snakes featured in one of Yadav’s videos. Fazilpuria has also been questioned in relation to the case.

The Noida police have thus far arrested five individuals for snake smuggling in a sting operation conducted by the People for Animals (PFA) last year. The arrested individuals divulged that they had supplied snakes for the party, resulting in the rescue of nine snakes, including five cobras, and the discovery of approximately 20 ml of suspected snake venom at the party venue. Key accused Rahul Yadav named Elvish Yadav as his key client, leading to Yadav’s scrutiny.

Samples from the rave party were dispatched to the Jaipur FSL for analysis, prompting the filing of an FIR against Elvish Yadav at the Noida Sector 49 police station.

Yadav had recently garnered attention when he was captured on video slapping a man in a Jaipur café. The incident went viral, prompting Yadav to offer an explanation, citing verbal abuse from the individual in question.