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Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut raised concerns about an alleged alliance between YouTuber Elvish Yadav and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Raut mentioned that Elvish Yadav, who is facing allegations related to the use of snake venom at rave parties, visited Shinde’s residence and conducted a Ganpati aarti. He questioned the nature of this association, suggesting that Shinde had warmly welcomed Elvish Yadav to his residence and allowed him to perform the ritual. Raut expressed doubts about the CM’s knowledge of the people visiting his bungalow, raising concerns about potential links between Elvish Yadav and the state’s alleged drug racket.
Maharashtra Congress leader Atul Londhe also expressed similar concerns, questioning why Eknath Shinde invited Elvish Yadav for a puja at the CM’s official residence. He wondered if the chief minister’s residence had become a destination for individuals with criminal backgrounds. The controversy emerged after Elvish Yadav’s name was mentioned in connection with a snake venom selling racket, prompting his arrest by Noida Police based on a tip-off from BJP MP Maneka Gandhi’s NGO, People for Animals.
Elvish Yadav, a popular YouTuber, refuted all allegations and assured cooperation with the investigation. Maneka Gandhi’s NGO initiated an inquiry into the matter, suspecting that Elvish Yadav was procuring rare snakes for his videos and rave parties. The five accused in the snake venom racket were arrested and subsequently sent to 14 days of judicial custody. Maneka Gandhi called for Elvish Yadav’s immediate arrest, characterizing it as a grade one wildlife crime that carries a maximum punishment of three years in prison.
