YouTuber Elvish Yadav Grilled by ED Over Snake Venom Drug Parties

YouTuber Siddharth Yadav, known as Elvish Yadav, was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case involving snake venom used as recreational drugs at parties. The probe includes financial transactions and illegal activities under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

YouTuber Siddharth Yadav, also known as Elvish Yadav, was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday for the second time in connection with a money laundering case related to the use of snake venom as recreational drugs at parties he allegedly hosted.

The 26-year-old's statement was recorded at the ED's zonal office on Ashok Marg for about seven hours. Yadav had previously been summoned in July by the federal probe agency.

Sources reveal that Yadav submitted documents concerning his personal financial transactions and assets. The central agency commenced its investigations in May, invoking the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after acknowledging an FIR and chargesheet filed by the Noida police against Yadav and others.

In a related development, singer Rahul Yadav, also known as Rahul Fazilpuriya, who allegedly has ties to Elvish Yadav, was questioned by the ED regarding the same case.

The ED is scrutinizing the alleged generation of illicit funds and their use for organizing rave or recreational parties. Elvish Yadav was arrested by Noida Police on March 17 for his involvement in these parties, suspected of using snake venom as a recreational drug.

Yadav, a winner of the reality show Bigg Boss OTT 2, faces multiple charges under the NDPS Act, Wildlife Protection Act, and Indian Penal Code. He was among six individuals named in an FIR lodged on November 3 last year by an animal rights NGO. While five other accused, all snake charmers, were arrested and later granted bail, Yadav's involvement continues to be under investigation.

A chargesheet filed by Noida Police in April cites offenses such as snake trafficking, use of psychotropic substances, and organizing rave parties.

(With inputs from agencies.)