Overview
- A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh criticized Yadav’s conduct and said the complaint will be examined under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
- The court asked the state to explain how venom could be extracted and used at parties and flagged inconsistencies such as a claim that a python was poisonous, directing filings and setting March 19 for the next hearing.
- Investigators earlier said several snakes, including cobras, were rescued in Noida and that suspected venom was recovered during the probe.
- Yadav’s counsel argued he attended only as a guest for a music video shoot, denied any rave or drug use, and cited reports that the examined snakes were not venomous.
- Yadav was arrested by Noida Police in March 2024 under wildlife and criminal conspiracy provisions and was later granted bail on a Rs 50,000 bond.