The police force in Uttar Pradesh has recently expanded its crackdown on a high-profile snake venom racket, with the arrest of two additional individuals linked to the case. Not long after Elvish Yadav, famed YouTuber and Bigg Boss OTT champion, found himself under police custody, his close friend Vinay Yadav and another suspect named Ishwar have been detained by authorities.
Elvish Yadav’s initial detention by the Noida police occurred on a quiet Sunday, connecting him to an ongoing investigation into illicit snake venom trade that started last year. The stakes elevated this week with the capture of two more suspects — Vinay, recognized as a significant associate of Elvish, and Ishwar, who refutes any personal connection with the reality show celebrity.
In the light of these events, there has been a surge in scrutiny from the police, with every clue and lead undergoing meticulous examination. “We are scrutinizing the entire video footage and investigating the role of each person. All the persons whose names come forward will be interrogated. There are many videos available on YouTube, and we are investigating that as well,” declared DCP Sagar Mishra of Noida, revealing the depth of the ongoing investigation.
Additional insights from the police were shared by Shakti Mohan Awasthi, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police. He conveyed that Ishwar, one of the newly arrested suspects, managed a banquet hall — a setting allegedly used to synthesize snake venom. DCP Awasthi recounted the developments, “In the same case in which Elvish Yadav was arrested a few days ago, two other people have been arrested this morning. Their names are Ishwar and Vinay. Ishwar used to constantly talk to the snake charmer Rahul and had his own banquet hall where he used to bring snakes and prepare snake venom. Vinay is a special friend of Ishwar Yadav. They are being sent to judicial custody.”
Regarding Elvish Yadav, the influencer and Bigg Boss OTT season 2 victor, the gravity of the situation has not been understated. He was sent to a 14-day judicial custody, facing serious charges under the Wild Life Protection Act of 1972. Confronted with these accusations, Elvish Yadav turned to social media for a public address. In a statement in Hindi, he relayed his shock and his willingness to collaborate with law enforcement. “All these accusations against me are baseless. They are all fake. There is not even a single percent of truth in it. I am willing to cooperate with the UP Police,” he expressed.
Showing readiness to confront whatever outcome awaits, Elvish has prepared himself to accept full accountability, should his involvement bear any weight. “I would request UP Police, Honourable Chief Minister and Yogi Adityanath ji that if I am even caught with 1 per cent of involvement then I am ready to take all responsibility on me and I request the media, if you don’t have all evidence against me please don’t spoil name. I have no links with all the accusations made. If it’s proved then I am ready to take the blame,” he emphatically stated, setting a tone of cooperation and responsibility.
The series of arrests has sent ripples through the entertainment and digital content creator community, highlighting the sometimes overlooked nexus between wildlife crimes and seemingly unrelated public figures. The investigation is ongoing, and the Uttar Pradesh police are leaving no stone unturned, as each piece of evidence could potentially unmask the depths of the illicit trade network in snake venom. As the case unfolds, all eyes remain on the legal proceedings that will determine the fate of those accused. The impact on Elvish Yadav’s career and the online persona he has built is as of yet uncertain, as is the broader implications for wildlife protection enforcement in India.
(With Inputs from ANI)
