An unfolding controversy has hit the Indian YouTube community as the Enforcement Directorate has lodged a money laundering case against prominent YouTuber Siddharth Yadav, who is more widely known by his alias Elvish Yadav. Official sources confirmed on Saturday that the action comes under suspicion of the use of snake venom in recreational drug activities during parties allegedly organized by the influencer. The central probing agency has taken this decisive step after being informed by the FIR and subsequent charge sheet issued by the Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida) district police in Uttar Pradesh, implicating Yadav and his associates.
The primary focus of the Enforcement Directorate’s investigation is on the alleged generation and subsequent investment of the proceeds of crime in facilitating rave or similar recreational gatherings. Yadav, alongside others implicated in the case, is slated for questioning as part of the criminal inquiry initiated by the ED.
Previously, on March 17, Elvish Yadav found himself under arrest by the Noida Police as part of an investigation into the alleged use of snake venom as an entertainment substance at events purportedly held by him. The 26-year-old YouTuber, who gained additional fame after clinching the title on the second season of the reality show Bigg Boss OTT, faced severe charges under various strict sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, Wildlife Protection Act, and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The investigation traced back to November 3 of the previous year when a First Information Report (FIR) named Yadav among six individuals. The complaint leading to the FIR came from a representative of the animal welfare organization People for Animals (PFA). The other accused, primarily snake charmers by occupation, faced arrests in November and subsequently obtained bail from a local court.
Dramatic scenes unfolded when these snake charmers were taken into custody at a Noida banquet hall on November 3, with law enforcement officers rescuing nine snakes, which included five cobras, and seizing around 20 ml of suspected snake venom. Notably, the accused YouTuber was not present at the location during the crackdown.
Months following the incident, in April, the Noida Police compiled an extensive charge sheet spanning over 1,200 pages against those involved. The outlined charges covered a spectrum of illicit activities ranging from snake trafficking, psychotropic substance usage, and the organizing of unlawful rave parties.
The affair has caught the attention of social networking circuits and revived conversations on narcotics and drug trafficking, especially concerning the use of unconventional and highly dangerous substances like snake venom. Such incidents shine a spotlight on the shadowy intersections of internet celebrity culture and illegal nightlife activities, raising discussions on the responsibilities that come with public influence and the reach of creators.
As the money laundering investigation by the Enforcement Directorate proceeds further, it is expected to uncover the intricacies of the financial transactions and the extent of the network involved in the case. The repercussions could ripple through various strata of society, from wildlife conservationists to the young audiences that follow personalities like Yadav.
For Yadav, once a celebrated digital entertainer, the coming days are set to be a trial by fire as he grapples with the judicial process and a tarnished public image amidst serious allegations of promoting and profiting from illicit activities.
