Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner Elvish Yadav summoned by ED in money laundering case

Elvish Yadav, a prominent YouTuber and winner of "Bigg Boss OTT 2," has recently found himself embroiled in a legal controversy involving serious criminal charges. According to reports, Yadav has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to appear before their office in Lucknow in connection with a money laundering case. This case has drawn significant attention due to the unusual and alarming allegations against Yadav, which include the use of snake venom as a recreational drug, financial transactions related to this activity, and organizing parties where such substances were allegedly used.

In March 2024, Yadav was arrested by the Noida Police following an investigation into his activities. He was accused of hosting parties where snake venom was allegedly used as a recreational drug. This arrest was part of a broader investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the Wildlife Protection Act, and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The charges against him are not only related to drug use but also encompass accusations of trafficking in protected wildlife, which adds another layer of severity to the case.

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The investigation by the Noida Police led to the filing of a substantial charge sheet in April 2024, which spans over 1,200 pages. This document details the various offenses allegedly committed by Yadav and others involved in the case. The Enforcement Directorate, which is responsible for investigating financial crimes, took cognizance of this charge sheet and subsequently registered a case under the PMLA. The ED's focus appears to be on the financial transactions that may have facilitated these alleged criminal activities, including the laundering of money derived from such illicit dealings.

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Yadav was initially summoned by the ED in July 2024, but he requested a deferment of the summons, citing scheduled foreign travel and professional commitments. However, with his return, the ED has renewed its summons, demanding his appearance in their Lucknow office for questioning. This renewed summons highlights the seriousness with which the ED is pursuing this investigation, emphasizing the need to clarify the sources of funds and the financial trails that may link Yadav to these criminal activities.

The case also involves other individuals linked to Yadav, including a singer named Rahul Yadav, also known as Rahul Fazilpuriya, who has been questioned by the ED. The involvement of multiple individuals and the variety of charges — ranging from money laundering to wildlife trafficking and drug offenses — suggest a complex network of activities that the authorities are keen to unravel.

Elvish Yadav's legal troubles began following a complaint lodged by a representative of the animal rights NGO, People for Animals (PFA), at the Noida Sector 49 police station. This complaint triggered a series of investigations that have since uncovered a range of activities implicating Yadav and others. The arrest of Yadav and five snake charmers in November 2023, from whom nine snakes, including five cobras, and 20 ml of suspected snake venom were seized, further supports the gravity of the charges against him. These individuals were initially detained but later released on bail by a local court, indicating ongoing legal proceedings.