[Snake Venom Case] P&H High Court Directs State To Provide Security To Animal Rights Activists Who Filed FIR Against YouTuber Elvish Yadav When They Appear In Court

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has directed police to provide adequate security to the animal rights activists who recorded a viral video of YouTube Elvish Yadav and filed an FIR against him for using Snake Venom as drugs, whenever they appear before Gurugram Court.

Yadav was recently arrested for allegedly procuring and selling snake venom at rave parties. He was reportedly booked under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, IPC (party to criminal conspiracy), 284 (negligent conduct related to poison that endangers human safety), and 289 (negligent conduct with respect to animals) and provisions of the NDPS Act. Later he was granted bail by a Gurugram Court.

An animal rights activist had filed a complaint before a Gurugram Court after Police did not lodge the FIR pertaining to a viral video in which Yadav is using snakes which is prohibited under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the plea stated.

Justice Jasjit Singh Bedi said, "As regards, the complaint instituted by the petitioners under Section 156(3) at Gurgaon, which has culminated in an FIR, the Commissioner of Police, Gurgaon is directed to provide adequate security to the petitioners whenever they are required to appear before the appropriate Court at Gurgaon."

However with respect to the threat perception, the Court said that the allegations primarily pertain to the issuance of threats etc., in the State of U.P. "Therefore, the petitioners are at liberty to approach the appropriate Court at U.P. for the redressal of any grievance that they may have," the Court said.

Saurabh Gupta and his brother Gaurav Gupta moved the High Court seeking police protection against the YouTuber and his associates. It is stated that the petitioners are animal rights activists and they recorded the viral video of Yadav and lodged an FIR against him for using snake venom in rave parties.

The petitioners alleged that since they reported the case, they have been receiving threatening calls from Elvish and his associates, demanding the withdrawal of their complaint.

"Petitioners are in great need to protect their life and liberty from respondent (Elvish Yadav) and their assailants, because he has high political and police links," the plea added.

Title: Saurabh Gupta & Ors v. State of Haryana & Ors.

A.S. Shera advocate for the petitioner.

Kanwar Sanjiv Kumar, Asstt. AG, Haryana.

Manish Soni, Advocate for respondent No.5.

Click here to read/download the order