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RTI Reveals Govt Invited Alleged Pakistani Spy Jyoti Malhotra to Kerala

July 7, 2025, 11:31 am

An RTI response has established that Jyoti Malhotra, a YouTube personality at present in police custody on charges of spying for Pakistan, was previously invited by the state government to Kerala for an official tourism promotion campaign.

As per the RTI reply that has now emerged in the public domain, Malhotra’s stay, travel, and itinerary costs were all paid for by Kerala’s tourism department. The trip was part of a state-sponsored influencer outreach program aimed at promoting Kerala’s image as a digital tourism destination, an ANI news report said.

The 33-year-old YouTuber from Haryana, running the channel Travel with Jo, was one of a number of influencers hired by the tourism department between January 2024 and May 2025. Over these six months, Malhotra visited various places in Kerala including Kannur, Kozhikode, Kochi, Alappuzha, and Munnar.

In one of her viral videos, she can be seen dressed in a traditional Kerala sari at a Theyyam performance in Kannur.

Investigators Trace Links to Pakistani Intelligence

Malhotra’s travel history has become a significant part of the ongoing investigation, as she made multiple visits to Pakistan and allegedly established links with Pakistani intelligence officials.

Officials revealed that one of her known contacts was a staffer at the Pakistan High Commission, Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish, who was expelled by the Indian government on May 13 following espionage allegations.

Although police have not yet discovered any military-related information in her possession, investigators assert she was “knowingly in touch with people associated with the Pakistani intelligence community.”

Arrest and Ongoing Legal Proceedings

Malhotra was arrested on 16 May from the area of New Aggarsain Extension and booked under the Official Secrets Act and corresponding sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Earlier, her bail plea was turned down by judicial magistrate first class Sunil Kumar on June 12. We will move a bail application in the district sessions court. It’s a routine process to produce her in court after 14 days and extend the judicial custody until she obtains a regular bail,” said her lawyer Kumar Mukesh.

The court also extended her judicial custody on June 23, and the next date of hearing is July 7.

Part of Broader Espionage Crackdown

Malhotra is one of 12 people arrested across Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh as part of a coordinated crackdown against a suspected network of espionage. The network allegedly wanted to recruit Indian content creators and influencers to obtain sensitive information.

Her channel has more than 480 travel videos of places such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Thailand.

Jyoti Malhotra’s Pakistan Links Under Probe: Police Uncover Suspected ISI Contacts on Laptop

May 27, 2025, 5:52 pm

Haryana Police have revealed that YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra was fully aware of her links with Pakistani intelligence agents associated with ISI. Despite knowing their affiliations, she continued her interactions without fear, according to the initial findings from her seized digital devices.

Police Recover Massive Data From Devices

Authorities arrested the 33-year-old YouTuber earlier this month for allegedly spying for Pakistan. During the investigation, the police seized her phone and laptop, discovering that although many files had been deleted, they successfully recovered 12 TB of data. This trove is now being examined for further leads and evidence.

According to sources, Malhotra communicated directly with four Pakistani intelligence officers, including one named Danish, whom she met at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. She was also in touch with two others—Ahsan and Shahid. Investigators are now working to verify the exact roles of these individuals within Pakistan’s security structure.

Sources claim the recovered data clearly shows Malhotra knew she was talking to officials of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence but remained unbothered.

Charged Under Official Secrets Act

Malhotra, known for her travel vlogging channel with over four lakh subscribers, has been booked under the Official Secrets Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to compromising India’s unity, integrity, and sovereignty. Officials added that more charges could follow based on further data analysis.

Earlier, Malhotra’s spending and luxurious travels—far exceeding her known income—had already raised suspicion. Haryana Police are now likely to involve central investigative agencies to probe her financial transactions and international connections.

Security Cover in Pakistan Raises Eyebrows

Malhotra came under the radar after her recent visits to Pakistan and China, especially following India’s retaliatory airstrikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir in response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. Her presence at high-profile events and her guarded appearances in Pakistan stood out.

A video by Scottish YouTuber Callum Mill, who runs the channel “Callum Abroad,” captured Malhotra walking through Lahore’s Anarkali Bazaar flanked by gunmen. In the video, Callum appears surprised, stating, “She’s the one with the guys, with all the security. I don’t know why, what’s the need for all the guns? Look at all the guns she has got surrounding her. There are six gunmen surrounding her.”

Callum met Malhotra during his visit in March and described their brief interaction, where she asked about his trips to Pakistan and India. She praised Pakistan’s hospitality saying, “It’s great.”

Police Probe Source of VIP Treatment

The men providing her security in the video were in civilian attire, but police believe they may be undercover agents or private guards. Investigators are now trying to identify who authorised the special security detail for her in Pakistan.

As the probe continues, authorities are focusing on uncovering the full scope of Malhotra’s alleged espionage activities, including the possibility of deeper foreign intelligence links and financial support.

Jyoti Malhotra Roams Lahore with 6 AK-47 Armed Men, Leaves Foreign YouTuber Puzzled | Watch Video

May 26, 2025, 2:08 pm

Indian YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who was recently detained on charges of espionage on behalf of Pakistan, was seen in Lahore’s Anarkali Bazaar several months ago with an unusually large security contingent. The meeting, recorded on camera by a Scottish travel vlogger, has provided yet another dimension to the ongoing investigation attributed to Operation Sindoor.

Scottish Vlogger’s Encounter Raises Eyebrows

Scottish YouTuber Callum Mill, also known as Callum Abroad, posted a video in March about his travel experiences through Lahore. He unexpectedly meets Malhotra during the video, as at least six men carrying AK-47 rifles guard her.

Callum explains his shock during the encounter: “The Indian girl. She is with the guys, the security. I don’t understand what the need for all the guns is. Look how many guns are around her. I think there are over six gunmen. Very, very strange.”

– Scottish You Tuber Callum Mill uploaded this video in March 2025

– Pakistani spy Jyoti Malhotra was walking through Pak streets with 6 men armed with AK-47 rifles

– Why was there so much security for an ordinary YouTuber?

This ISI agent’s friends & relatives should be… pic.twitter.com/wTWOSlR0sM

— BALA (@erbmjha) May 26, 2025

He continues, “If you have that kind of security around you, it makes the place look unsafe.”

Callum and Malhotra exchange a few brief words in the clip.

Callum: “I am from Scotland, UK.”

Malhotra: “Is this your first visit to Pakistan. Do you like Pakistan?”

Callum: “I love it. Pakistan zindabad.”

Malhotra: “You have to visit India. I am Indian.”

Callum: “How is the hospitality of Pakistan?”

Malhotra: “It is wonderful. I am enjoying it.”

Who is Jyoti Malhotra?

Malhotra operated the YouTube channel Travel with Jo and regularly uploaded videos of her global travels. She traveled to Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, among other places. The Indian government arrested her this month for suspected espionage activities.

She is said to have been in constant touch with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a Pakistani High Commission official ousted from India on May 13 on charges of espionage. Authorities suspect Malhotra was being groomed as a Pakistani asset and was in contact with Danish during Operation Sindoor, India’s recent counter-terror operation.

She is among 12 people picked up from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh in the last fortnight on suspicion of espionage. Investigators are now interrogating her itinerary and connections.

Rahul Gandhi Spotted with Jyoti Malhotra? Here’s the Truth

May 25, 2025, 3:11 pm

A photo manipulated digitally depicting Congress MP Rahul Gandhi smiling with YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra—apprehended recently for allegedly being a Pakistani spy has generated outrage on the Internet. The image, which has spread extensively across X (formerly Twitter), has followed it with a chain of attacks and conspiracy theories.

One of the users of X posted, “Jyoti Malhotra from Haryana, who was caught spying for Pakistan, is with Rahul Gandhi. What an odd coincidence that all the traitors and anti-nationals are spotted with Rahul Gandhi! Is Rahul Gandhi the mastermind behind the unrest unfolding in the country?”

Fact Check: Viral Photos of YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra with Rahul Gandhi Are Fake and Morphedhttps://t.co/MZ4I1GRJA8 pic.twitter.com/iIIkFYmyMC

— DFRAC Official (@dfrac_official) May 22, 2025

Truth Behind the Viral Image

But a simple reverse image search puts things to rest. The viral image that purports to have Malhotra standing next to Rahul Gandhi is, in fact, a morphed photo of an old picture that was clicked way back in 2017. The genuine photo features former Congress leader Aditi Singh alongside Rahul Gandhi, which she took while she was with the party.

As a matter of fact, the background, the saree, and even the environment are the same in the authentic picture of Aditi Singh. She had shared the photo on social media in 2017. Media channels also released the identical picture in 2018—years before Jyoti Malhotra even started her YouTube journey.

Fact-checking organizations have declared the viral photo as ‘morphed’, establishing that it is an edited image.

Who Is Aditi Singh?

Aditi Singh, who was a leading Congress MLA from Rae Bareli, defected to the BJP in 2021. She is now the MLA from Rae Bareli Sadar on the BJP ticket.

Who Is Jyoti Malhotra?

YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, with almost 3.9 lakh subscribers, was recently arrested on charges of leaking sensitive information to a Pakistani official. Investigators say she was in touch with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish—a dismissed Pakistani High Commission employee since November 2023.

She was being groomed as an intelligence asset for Pakistan, the authorities asserted. Malhotra has been to Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, and other foreign countries, which has caused more suspicion. She has already been questioned by several agencies such as the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Intelligence Bureau (IB), and military intelligence.

Her arrest is a part of a broad crackdown with 12 people being held in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh in the past few weeks on charges of espionage activities.

Ex-Pakistan High Commission Official Danish Accused of Targeting Indian YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra

May 23, 2025, 4:08 pm

As part of the ongoing investigation into YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra’s alleged links with Pakistani intelligence, fresh revelations have emerged that an expelled Pakistani high commission official, Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, attempted to recruit around two dozen individuals in Delhi. These individuals were either applying for visas to Islamabad or were relatives of applicants.

The Delhi Police acted on inputs from its intelligence wing’s Pakistan desk and initiated a probe, The Times of India reported, citing a senior special branch officer. Police questioned approximately 25 individuals separately, but found no incriminating evidence. All of them were released as the recruitment attempts did not succeed.

Danish Was Not a Visa Officer, but an ISI Operative

The investigation further revealed that Danish was not the visa officer he claimed to be. According to the report, he held an inspector-level rank in Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

A police source told ToI, “He (Danish) was reporting to a senior ISI officer named Shoaib and was tasked with arranging Indian SIM cards, besides recruiting influencers. Danish’s passport was issued in Islamabad, and he was granted a visa for India on January 21, 2022. As per his documents, Danish was born in Narowal in Pakistan’s Punjab province.”

On May 13, India declared Danish persona non grata for allegedly collecting sensitive information and pushing pro-Pakistan narratives.

Malhotra Allegedly Developed as ISI Asset

Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra was arrested last week under espionage charges for allegedly maintaining contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives (PIOs). During her interrogation, she admitted that she had communicated with Danish between November 2023 and March 2025.

Authorities suspect that Danish was trying to groom Malhotra as an intelligence asset during this period.

While speaking to HT, police officials confirmed Malhotra’s contact with PIOs but clarified that no link to terrorist activities has been found.
Hisar Superintendent of Police stated, “So far, we have not found any evidence of her involvement in any terror activity or her alignment with any terrorist group.”

She was among 12 individuals arrested across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh for their alleged involvement in espionage.

Pak High Commission’s History of Espionage

The Pakistan high commission in Delhi has a record of being used for ISI-led intelligence operations. Sources told ToI that ISI embeds its agents into the high commission and rotates them among different postings.

During PIO interrogations, it was found that ISI often trains army officers for espionage and posts them under fake identities at the high commission using false documents. These operatives then target Indian visa applicants to secure local SIM cards and build contacts with vulnerable individuals, including military or paramilitary personnel.

A senior officer revealed that these visa applicants help PIOs get Indian SIM cards, which are later used to reach out to potential recruits.

Past Cases Reveal Ongoing Espionage Threat

In May 2020, Delhi Police and military intelligence busted a similar plot involving two individuals posing as visa officers—Abid Hussain and Tahir Khan—who were later confirmed as ISI agents and expelled from India. Following the incident, India halved the Pakistan high commission’s staff strength from 180 to 90.

In 2021, another sting operation revealed a Pakistani-origin visa officer working for ISI. In 2016, Mehmood Akhtar, an ISI officer posted at the high commission, was caught posing as a visa officer. While his Indian associates were arrested, Akhtar was released due to diplomatic immunity. He had been recruited by ISI in 2013 and sent to Delhi on posting.

These repeated incidents have reinforced concerns about the misuse of diplomatic channels for espionage in India.

No proof yet of Jyoti Malhotra accessing defence info: Police

May 23, 2025, 1:01 am

A local court in Haryana’s Hisar on Thursday extended the police custody of YouTu- ber and travel blogger Jyoti Malhotra for four days as investigations continue into serious allegations that she shared information with Pakistani intelligence.

Malhotra, 33, runs a You- Tube channel called Travel with JO with over 3.77 lakh subscribers, was arrested on May 16 for allegedly being in touch with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a Pakistani offi- cial at the High Commission in Delhi, who was expelled from India on May 13 over spying charges.

Officials associated with the investigation revealed that the police have seized three mobile phones, a lap- top, and other electronic items from Malhotra. Her four bank accounts are being checked. Investigators found that she visited Pakistan multiple times since 2023 and also traveled to China and Bangladesh. Authorities are probing whether these trips were linked to spying.

The investigation is being led by Hisar Police with support from central agencies. Authorities are still trying to understand the full scope of Malhotra’s alleged involvement. Hisar Superintendent of Police Shashank Kumar Sawan confirmed the case is being fully investigated by Hisar Police, and Jyoti Malhotra is in Hisar Police custody, while central agencies are questioning her, no central agency has taken custody of her.

“So far, there is no evidence that Jyoti had access to any military, defense, or strategic information”, he added. According to the Hisar SP, the four bank accounts of Jyoti are under investigation but no comment can yet be made on any financial transactions, Jyoti knowingly remained in contact with people who were identified as PIOs.

However, there is no direct proof so far linking her to any terrorist organization or any terror-related activity, added the SP. The police also made it clear that there is no information yet suggesting that Jyoti married a PIO, converted her religion, or made any such personal change. Malhotra was booked under sections of the Official Secrets Act and 152BNS on May 15.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), Intelligence Bureau (IB), and military intelligence have also questioned Malhotra. So far, police say there is no evidence that she accessed or shared any military or defense secrets. As per the initial interrogation the police believe she was being “groomed” as an intelligence asset by Pakistan.

They say she was in touch with Danish during a four-day military standoff between India and Pakistan after a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 that killed 26 tourists. Meanwhile, her Instagram account has been blocked, though her YouTube and Facebook pages are still live. The case has sparked concern about how social media platforms might be misused for spying.

From Madhuri Gupta to Jyoti Malhotra: India’s Espionage Woes Resurface After 15 Years

May 21, 2025, 5:47 pm

The recent arrest of YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra on charges of spying for Pakistan has stirred up painful memories among India’s security establishment. Her case, with digital spying and supposed intelligence collection while masquerading as a social media influencer, recalls one of the most shocking betrayals in recent Indian times: Madhuri Gupta, a senior Indian diplomat who was arrested in 2010 for passing on sensitive information to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Though the tools and channels are different, the security threat is eerily the same.

Madhuri Gupta: The Traitor Diplomat

Madhuri Gupta’s tale is a gripping illustration of how faith can be broken from the inside. A graduate of Jawaharlal Nehru University and a veteran Indian Foreign Service (IFS) diplomat, Gupta was the Second Secretary (Press and Information) at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. Well-versed in Urdu and ideally placed to keep an eye on the media in Pakistan, she was entrusted with some of India’s deepest secrets. But behind this trusted cover, she cheated her country by supplying extremely sensitive information to Pakistan’s intelligence system.

In early 2010, Indian intelligence started suspecting a leak in the Islamabad mission. Intelligence Bureau Director Rajiv Mathur then launched a secret operation, providing Gupta with false leads to follow any unauthorized leaks. The information soon cropped up with Pakistani contacts, affirming suspicions of spying.

The Honeytrap That Undermined a Nation

Gupta’s own investigations later confirmed that her demise was based on a vulnerable emotional side. She had become infatuated with a younger Pakistani man, Jamshed — who turned out to be an ISI operative. This “honeytrap” played on her affections and trust, making her an unwitting agent of Pakistan’s intelligence agency.

Her treachery was wholesale. Gupta shared key information regarding India’s foreign policy, defense activities, and names of intelligence agents. To her shame, she exposed intelligence regarding the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, one of India’s worst moments. Email addresses established by ISI handlers and communication equipment seized during the investigation highlighted the hierarchical nature of her spying.

Intelligence Collection Beyond Diplomatic Cover

One of the most startling incidents involved Gupta’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir, which she misrepresented as being for a wedding. Rather, she recced the hydroelectric infrastructure of the state — an interest of strategic importance for Pakistan. This compromise laid bare weak points that could have had disastrous implications for Indian security.

Gupta had frequent contact with ISI officials Mubshar Raza Rana and Jamshed, sending sensitive information from her office and home in Islamabad from the end of 2009 to her April 2010 arrest.

Arrest and Judicial Penalties

Madhuri Gupta was called to New Delhi in April 2010 under the guise of watching SAARC summit preparations. She was arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell and charged under the Official Secrets Act. The court held her guilty of criminal conspiracy and a number of offenses under the Indian Penal Code. It underscored the seriousness of her betrayal, “She was in a position of great trust, and she did something which brought disrepute to the country.” The court dismissed her appeal for leniency, highlighting the serious harm to national security.

Gupta spent 21 months at Tihar Jail before being granted bail. In 2018, she was officially convicted but permitted to appeal the judgment. She died in 2021 aged 64, leaving a legacy of prudence to the country.

A Stark Reminder in the Digital Age

Jyoti Malhotra’s arrest brings this cautionary anecdote to life again. While Gupta used backroom diplomatic corridors, Malhotra is accused of using cyber space for collating and disseminating information. This change from the backrooms of diplomacy to the space where the social media dominates is indicative of how espionage evolves according to new times.

The central threat, however, is the same. Whether in the form of direct links to sensitive government processes or indirect cyber-space listening and persuasion, espionage continues to test India’s national security.

While authorities probe Malhotra’s reported actions, Gupta’s tale is a somber reminder: even trusted insiders can betray. Vigilance is critical. India needs to harden its countermeasures against the latest espionage techniques so that diplomats, as well as online influencers like Gupta, do not become instruments of aggression against the interests of the country.

What Jyoti Malhotra Wrote in Her Diary After Visiting Pakistan

May 21, 2025, 10:51 am

Police have arrested YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra on charges of spying. She allegedly had links with Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs). The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) are now investigating her. Authorities are also examining her trips to Pakistan and China. They are especially focusing on her visit just before the Pahalgam terror attack.

Police Find Diary With Details About Pakistan Visit

While questioning Malhotra, Haryana Police found her personal diary. It gave more details about her time in Pakistan. In one diary entry, she described her return to India after a 10-day trip. Her words translated, “During this time, I received a lot of love from the people of Pakistan. Our subscribers and friends also came to meet us. The two days we got to visit Lahore were not enough.” She called Pakistan “unbelievable” and “colourful”. She wrote that her experience there was beyond words. In another entry, she made an appeal to Pakistani authorities. “Protect the temples there and let Indians meet their families from whom they were separated in 1947,” she wrote.

Police Arrest Malhotra in Hisar

On May 16, police arrested the 33-year-old from her home in Hisar. She runs a YouTube channel called Travel with Jo, which has over 3.77 lakh subscribers. Officials booked her under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923. She was also charged under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Investigators Trace Links With Pakistani Officials

Authorities found that Malhotra regularly contacted Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish. He worked at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. Their communication reportedly continued from November 2023 to March 2025. Hisar police spokesperson Vikas Kumar said Malhotra admitted she stayed in touch with Danish. According to Hindustan Times, Danish was “developing her as an asset.” Later, Danish introduced her to a man named Ali Ahwan. He helped arrange her stay and meetings with Pakistani security officials Shakir and Rana Shahbaz.

She Hid Spy Contacts and Continued Messaging Them

The FIR said Malhotra saved Shakir’s contact as “Jatt Randhawa” to hide his identity. After returning to India, she kept in touch with these men through WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat. She also met Danish several times at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi.

Officials Suspect a Larger Spy Network

The FIR revealed she was part of a wider spy ring. This network reportedly operates across Haryana and Punjab. It includes secret agents, informers, and those handling illegal funds. Investigators found several bank accounts under her name. They are now reviewing her financial records and travel logs. Hisar Superintendent of Police Shashank Kumar Sawan said during a press conference, “Her known income sources do not justify her foreign travel. We suspect external funding. On the surface, she was just a travel blogger.”

Police Arrest 11 More People

In the last two weeks, police in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh arrested 11 more suspects. They were allegedly linked to the same spy network. Another YouTuber, named Guzala, was arrested from Punjab.

“We Weren’t Watchful”: Jyoti Malhotra Blamed Citizens in Video on Pahalgam Attack | Watch

May 20, 2025, 5:41 pm

Travel blogger Jyoti Malhotra, currently in the eye of a high-profile spy saga, has been mired deeper in controversy after an archived video surfaced. In the video posted on Instagram after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Malhotra called on citizens to take responsibility as much as the government. The attack killed 26 people—mostly tourists—and prompted Operation Sindoor and escalated into a low but intense four-day war with Pakistan.

In the viral clip, the Haryana YouTuber, whose channel name is ‘Travel with Jo’, is heard saying, “Not just the government, this (attack) is the responsibility of every individual who visits these places and should be watchful. I know J&K has high security, and there are Army and police personnel in every corner. If something like this has happened despite that, then we are also at fault in some way. Perhaps we weren’t watchful (enough), which is why this happened. We should be watchful and responsible.”

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Controversial Remarks by Jyoti Malhotra

Her words, although perhaps aimed at promoting civic awareness, now raise uncomfortable questions following her arrest for allegedly assisting Pakistani intelligence agents. She continued, “If anybody is supporting those terrorists, then we are not Indian. If we are only corrupt and wrong, then that is soul-wrenching. It’s very wrong for any country. If anybody has supported those terrorists, it is wrong. We are ourselves responsible for that. Our government is responsible because somewhere, there was a lapse in security. Something went wrong because of which such a big attack happened.”

These declarations take a diametrically opposite view of the espionage accusations leveled against her, rendering her statement either profoundly ironic or perilously deceitful.

From Travel Diaries to Espionage Files

Malhotra’s transition from a successful travel blogger to a suspected spy has shocked the public. Her upbeat travel videos had more than 377,000 YouTube subscribers, and her alleged dual life remained hidden behind them. As per the FIR lodged at Hisar Civil Lines Police Station, she had met Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, who works as a staffer at the Pakistan High Commission, on a 2023 visit. As her handler, Danish is said to have introduced her to various Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) and kept an encrypted contact with them.

Jyoti Malhotra allegedly traveled to Pakistan twice in 2023 and met handlers Ali Ehwan, Shakir, and Rana Shahbaz. To evade detection, she stored contacts under nicknames such as “Jatt Randhawa.” Currently booked under Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, she is still in custody under police remand as investigations go deeper.

Need for Vigilance on Social Influence and National Security

The surfaced clip reminds us of a significant concern—the power held by social media influencers. With her account having gone dormant now, her case highlights an imperative for greater scrutiny of the role played by influencers in national conversation. The country needs to come to terms with the double danger of an external enemy and inner weakness covered up by charm and online presence.

Vlogging to Espionage: How Jyoti Malhotra Became a Pawn in Pakistan’s Game

May 19, 2025, 1:14 pm

In a world where celebrity is just a click away, the distinction between influencer and operator has become indistinguishable. Hisar’s travel YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who has more than 3.85 lakh subscribers, is the newest testament to how soft targets among influencers are being recruited into high-stakes espionage. Her arrest on suspicion of spying for Pakistan has stunned the world of digital content creators and unveiled a new battlefield of contemporary warfare.

Following the recent Pahalgam terror attack and India’s strong military response through Operation Sindoor, Jyoti’s connections came under the radar. Investigators believe her communications and visits to Pakistan were more than innocent travel expeditions.

A Race for Relevance Turns Risky

In the post-pandemic era, the influencer space has expanded, inundating social media with creators seeking relevance. With this abundance, pressure on innovation and grabbing eyeballs is high. Jyoti Malhotra, who was 33, established herself as a “Nomadic Leo Girl” on her YouTube channel ‘Travel With Jo’. Her neat travel vlogs spoke of world travels and suggested a lifestyle that transcended her seeming ability.

Yet, as Hisar SP Shashank Kumar Sawan pointed out, this quest for online fame has turned into a weakness. “Surely, they were building her as an asset,” he said, pointing to Pakistani intelligence operatives who befriended Jyoti with the demand of diplomacy and friendship.

#WATCH | Hisar | “They were developing her (Jyoti Malhotra) as an asset. She was in touch with other YouTube influencers, and they were also in touch with the PIOs… She used to go to Pakistan, like on sponsored trips… She was in Pakistan before the Pahalgam attack, and the… pic.twitter.com/OD2wD1vzic

— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2025

Jyoti Malhotra: Infiltration Through Influence

Jyoti’s frequent interaction with Pakistani officers — including Danish at the Pakistan High Commission — raised suspicions. When the four-day military standoff prompted by the Pahalgam massacre took place, Jyoti Malhotra was in continuous communication with her handlers.

“Her contact was with other YouTube influencers. They also had contact with PIOs (public information officers),” SP Sawan said, describing how social media content creators are being targeted in psychological warfare. “This is also (a type of) warfare, where they attempt to thrust their narrative by enlisting influencers.”

Meetings, Money, and Misplaced Trust

Her questioning showed how she was made familiar with important Pakistani personalities on her repeated visits. “Ali Ahwan arranged a meeting with Pakistani security and intelligence officials in Pakistan, and I met Shakir and Rana Shahbaz. I got the number of Shakir’s mobile phone and stored it in my phone as ‘Jat Randhawa’ so that nobody would suspect anything,” police quoted Jyoti.

Officials commented that her lifestyle drastically contrasted with her known earnings — business-class trips, five-star hotels, lavish shopping excursions. She supposedly was given “sponsored” treatment in Pakistan and then went to China in comparable luxury. Police are investigating the money trail on those trips.

Web of Suspicion Widens

Importantly, her arrest was after the Indian government expelled Danish, the Pakistani official, on May 13. Two days later, Jyoti was arrested. “We will subject her laptop and other electronic devices to forensic analysis. Then it will be known what information she had shared,” stated SP Sawan.

Even her travelogues — especially one to Kashmir before the Pahalgam terror attack — are being scrutinized to find potential connections.

Police also believe Jyoti is not alone among influencers who have been compromised. In Odisha’s Puri, another YouTuber, Priyanka Senapati, landed in the radar after interacting with Jyoti. “Jyoti was just my friend. I had absolutely no knowledge of the serious allegations against her,” Priyanka reacted in reply.

Puri SP Vinit Agrawal stated that investigations are underway. “We are in contact with central and state agencies and will extend whatever cooperation is required,” he said.

Father of Jyoti Malhotra Defense and a Nation’s Concern

Jyoti’s father, Haris Malhotra, insists her trips were for content creation. “She used to visit Pakistan and other places to shoot videos for YouTube,” he told ANI. But when asked about her ties with Pakistani officials, he defended her right to friendships: “If she has some friends there, can’t she call them?”

Yet Indian authorities are not so sure. Jyoti stands accused under the Official Secrets Act and specific provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and is still in jail as police investigate deeper into her operations.

Jyoti Malhotra Case: Police Uncover How Influencers Are Recruited as Spies for Pakistan

May 18, 2025, 6:02 pm

In a major breakthrough, social media influencer and travel blogger Jyoti Malhotra has been arrested for spying for Pakistan and leaking sensitive information to its intelligence handlers. Her arrest has revealed a trend among Pakistani handlers to recruit Indian influencers to promote their propaganda.

How Influencers Are Being Recruited

Addressing the media on Sunday, Hisar Superintendent of Police (SP) Shashank Kumar Sawan revealed that Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) have been targeting Indian social media influencers to advance their narrative.
“Modern warfare is not only being waged at the border. The PIOs are attempting to recruit some social media influencers and they take advantage of that to promote their narrative. We took inputs from the central agencies and arrested Jyoti Malhotra. She had traveled to Pakistan several times and China too. She was in touch with the PIOs. We have taken her for a 5-day police remand,” he said.

Contact During Indo-Pak War and Op Sindoor

As per SP Sawan, Malhotra was reportedly in contact with Pakistani intelligence officials during recent India-Pakistan tensions, particularly after India’s Operation Sindoor. “We are examining her financial data. In the war (Indo-Pak), she was in contact with the PIOs. Her travel data is contradicting her complete income,” he said.

Sawan further added that the accused was being ‘developed as an asset’ by Pakistani handlers. “They were grooming her (Jyoti Malhotra) as an asset. She had contact with other YouTube personalities, and they were also in contact with the PIOs. She used to travel to Pakistan, like on sponsored tours. She had gone to Pakistan prior to the Pahalgam attack, and the inquiry is on to lay down linkages, if there are any. We are also inquiring, as we have inputs that other individuals were also getting involved with her,” he said.

FIR Details and Charges

Malhotra, who is from Hisar, was taken into custody after she admitted to having shared sensitive information with Pakistani handlers. She has been charged under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act. A five-day police remand has been given.

The FIR, filed at the Hisar Civil Lines police station on a complaint by Sub-Inspector Sanjay, mentions that she had been in touch with a Pakistani High Commission employee, Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, while visiting the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi in 2023. She is charged with divulging sensitive location-based details and as per allegation, was using her position for spreading positivity about Pakistan on social media.

Family Responds

Her father, Harish Malhotra, has come to the defense of his daughter, stating that her visits to Pakistan were for content creation. “She had come to the neighboring country to make videos,” he asked rhetorically, “Why can’t she call her friends residing in the country if she wanted to do that?”

The probe continues as police investigate her financial activities, travel records, and potential connections with other people who might be members of the suspected spy ring.

Who Is Jyoti Malhotra? YouTuber in Spy Allegations for Pakistan

May 17, 2025, 5:05 pm

Jyoti Malhotra, a well-known travel YouTuber from Hisar, has shocked the online community and security agencies alike with her arrest on charges of espionage for Pakistan. Known for her channel “Travel with Jo,” which has over 377,000 subscribers, Malhotra’s alleged involvement in a Pakistan-backed spying ring operating across Haryana and Punjab exposes the growing misuse of social media influencers in espionage activities.

Arrest and Charges of Jyoti Malhotra

The Hisar police arrested Jyoti Malhotra following her admission of passing sensitive Indian information to Pakistani agents. They booked her under Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act.

After her arrest, the police obtained a five-day remand to collect more evidence. Now the Economic Offences Wing is investigating her role and connections more thoroughly.

Connections with Pakistani Operatives

Malhotra initially met Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, an employee of Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, during her visit to Pakistan in 2023, according to the FIR registered at Hisar Civil Lines Police Station by Sub-Inspector Sanjay. Danish used to serve as her handler, introducing her to other Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs). They were in touch over encrypted platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat.

Trips to Pakistan and Bali

More research confirmed Malhotra made two trips to Pakistan in 2023, having meetings with the most important operatives like Ali Ehwan, Shakir, and Rana Shahbaz. She went undercover and saved their contact names, naming one as “Jatt Randhawa” to avoid detection. She also went to Bali, Indonesia, with one of these operatives, which shows her role was more than communication and had crossed into involvement.

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A post shared by Jyoti Malhotra (@travelwithjo1)

Espionage Network Covering Haryana and Punjab

Security officials found that Malhotra is a part of a large network of espionage with several operatives functioning as agents, money conduits, and informants in Haryana and Punjab. Six people associated with this network have been arrested so far, revealing a major security lapse in India’s vulnerable locations.

Malhotra’s YouTube channel, followed by millions, became a powerful tool for projecting a good image of Pakistan on social media. The investigators are of the opinion that her Pakistani handlers used her popularity to execute a coordinated effort to influence public opinion under the cover of innocuous travel content.

Tensions Amid India-Pakistan Conflict

This espionage affair happens against the backdrop of an intense India-Pakistan standoff in the wake of the ghastly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, in which 26 civilians were massacred. India accused Pakistan-sponsored terror outfits of orchestrating the attack; consequently, it retaliated by initiating ‘Operation Sindoor,’ targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK..

Malhotra’s arrest clearly indicates how, over time, cross-border spy networks have increasingly utilized cyber platforms and unsuspecting persons to infiltrate India’s security system. Moreover, this trend highlights the growing sophistication of such operations. Therefore, governments must be on guard against such underhand networks and actively work to restrict the misuse of social media followers for antagonistic intelligence collection.

Jyoti Malhotra, Haryana Travel Blogger, Arrested for Spying for Pakistan

May 17, 2025, 4:45 pm

Hisar-resident travel vlogger Jyoti Malhotra, previously famous for her YouTube channel “Travel with Jo,” now faces serious charges of spying. Police arrested her this week on allegations of sharing sensitive details to Pakistani agents, the third Haryana arrest since–Pakistan ceasefire agreement.

According to an FIR lodged at the Hisar Civil Lines police station by sub-inspector Sanjay, Jyoti Malhotra came under scrutiny after revealing connections with Pakistani High Commission staff. “The woman revealed that she remained in touch with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish and during her Pakistan visit in 2023, she met Ali Ehwan, who ensured my staying and travelling in Pakistan,” the FIR reads.

YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra has been arrested by Hisar Police in a high-profile espionage case. She was reportedly in contact with a Pakistani High Commission officer named Danish, who allegedly facilitated her visit to Pakistan. Jyoti, who runs a travel channel, is accused of… pic.twitter.com/MOUlupAM6f

— IANS (@ians_india) May 17, 2025

Links to Pakistani Intelligence Networks

The officials confirmed that Ehwan brought Malhotra in contact with Pakistani security and intelligence officials. “She also met Shakir and Rana Shahbaz,” the FIR read. In addition, she covered up her link with Shakir by saving his number under the name “Jatt Randhawa.”

Even after having returned to India in 2023, she kept in touch with these operatives on encrypted channels like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat. Investigators assert she had gone to Pakistan twice during that year as well as to Bali accompanied by a Pakistani Intelligence Operative (PIO) in whose arms she had a close relationship.

Danish Expelled, Network Exposed

India expelled Danish, the Pakistani High Commission official who allegedly introduced Malhotra to these intelligence circles, and declared him persona non grata on May 13, 2025. While she was in Delhi, Malhotra maintained her coordination with him, fueling suspicions regarding her activities.

A Widening Spy Ring?

Police have also discovered a larger network that functions across Haryana and Punjab, employing operatives, money conduits, and informants. “She was part of a network that stretched across Haryana and Punjab,” the FIR stated. Malhotra has been sent to five-day police custody for further questioning.

Her arrest has highlighted how foreign agents increasingly abuse online platforms and how influencers can fall prey to espionage under the guise of diplomacy and travel.