Elvish Yadav has several snake-themed videos on his channel. (document)

New Delhi:

Bigg Boss OTT winner Elvish Yadav has been arrested in connection with the snake venom rave party case. Mr Yadav was summoned for questioning earlier in the day. He will appear in court soon.

Last year, a case was registered against him and five others under the Wildlife Act in Noida for arranging snake venom as recreational drug at a rave party.

On November 3 last year, the police raided a banquet hall in Sector 51 of Noida and arrested five people, including four snake charmers, and recovered nine snakes and poison. In addition, Yadav allegedly used a snake to shoot videos at rave parties.

The popular YouTuber has several snake-themed videos on his channel.

How was the Venom rave party gang busted?

After seeing Elvish Yadav’s video, the animal rights organization PFA (People For Animals) led by Bharatiya Janata Party leader Maneka Gandhi called him, hiding his name and identity. They asked him for snakes and their venom. The 26-year-old allegedly provided his phone number to Rahul, who invited them to an Area 51 party. The PFA team found four snake charmers – Jaikaran, Titunath, Narayan and Ravinath – with nine snakes, including five cobras, and 20 ml of snake venom on their bodies. A team from the Noida police and forest department was soon called in and all were arrested.

Elvish Yadav denies all charges

Mr Yadav, who has been interviewed by police in the past, refuted accusations of involvement in the case. “It’s baseless, fake, not even one percent true,” he said. Police earlier said he did not show up at the party hall and they were investigating his role in the overall case. Maneka Gandhi, however, accused Yadav of being involved in illegal sales of snake venom and demanded his immediate arrest. Ms Gandhi told reporters: “He (Elvish Yadav) has escaped so far but he should definitely be arrested.”