Haryana – Popular travel content creator Youtuber Jyoti Malhotra has been arrested on espionage charges, sending shockwaves through social media circles. The 33-year-old Hisar-based influencer, who runs the YouTube channel “Travel with JO” with over 3.77 lakh subscribers, was taken into custody on May 16, 2025, from her residence in New Aggarsain Extension.
Hisar Superintendent of Police (SP) Shashank Kumar Sawan confirmed during a Sunday press conference that Youtuber Jyoti Malhotra has been booked under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. A court has remanded her to five days of police custody as investigators dig deeper into what appears to be a complex espionage network.
Pakistani Intelligence Grooming Social Media Influencers
The arrest of Youtuber Jyoti Malhotra comes amid growing concerns about Pakistani intelligence operatives (PIOs) recruiting social media personalities to promote “soft narratives.” SP Sawan revealed that central agencies had alerted Haryana Police about this troubling trend of targeting influencers.
“PIOs were grooming her to become an asset,” Sawan stated during the press conference. The serious nature of these allegations has prompted a multi-agency investigation, with Haryana Police working in close coordination with central intelligence agencies.
Suspicious Travel History: Pakistan Visits Raise Red Flags
Perhaps most concerning in the case against Youtuber Jyoti Malhotra is her extensive travel history to Pakistan. According to police investigations, she had visited the neighboring country multiple times, including a particularly suspicious trip that preceded the Pahalgam terror attack.
Authorities have also confirmed that Youtuber Jyoti Malhotra had traveled to China, raising additional security concerns about the extent of her foreign connections. SP Sawan emphasized that her known income sources do not justify the frequency and nature of her international travels.
“We are analyzing her financial transactions and travel history to determine the sources of her income,” the SP noted. “Her known income sources do not justify her foreign travel. We suspect external funding. On the surface, she was just a travel blogger.”
Direct Contact with Pakistani Intelligence Officials
The FIR filed at Hisar Civil Lines police station details how Youtuber Jyoti Malhotra first made contact with Pakistani operatives. According to the report, she met Ehsan-ur-Rahim, alias Danish, at the Pakistan High Commission in 2023 while applying for a visa.
This initial encounter allegedly led to a series of meetings with higher-ranking Pakistani security officials. Danish introduced Youtuber Jyoti Malhotra to Ali Ahwan, who subsequently arranged her accommodation in Pakistan and facilitated meetings with security officials identified as Shakir and Rana Shahbaz.
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In an apparent attempt to maintain operational security, the FIR notes that Youtuber Jyoti Malhotra saved Shakir’s contact in her phone under the pseudonym “Jatt Randhawa” to avoid raising suspicions.
Continued Communication Through Encrypted Channels
The investigation has revealed that Youtuber Jyoti Malhotra’s involvement did not end with her visits to Pakistan. After returning to India, she allegedly maintained contact with Pakistani operatives through encrypted messaging applications including WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat.
SP Sawan confirmed that Youtuber Jyoti Malhotra was in direct contact with PIOs, including individuals who have been declared persona non grata by India. The timing of these communications has particularly alarmed security agencies.
“While she did not have direct access to sensitive defence information, her communication with PIOs during periods of heightened tension between India and Pakistan was alarming,” Sawan explained.
High-Profile Connections During Pakistan Stays
During her stays in Pakistan, Youtuber Jyoti Malhotra reportedly interacted with several high-profile individuals, though authorities have not yet disclosed their identities. The SP indicated that these connections are being thoroughly investigated as part of the ongoing probe.
“Even though her arrest happened recently, intelligence agencies were already monitoring her activities closely,” Sawan revealed, suggesting that Youtuber Jyoti Malhotra had been under surveillance for some time before authorities moved to arrest her.
Wider Espionage Network Across Multiple States
The case against Youtuber Jyoti Malhotra appears to be part of a larger counter-intelligence operation. Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur stated that following ‘Operation Sindoor,’ several “anti-national elements” have been identified across multiple districts.
The FIR alleges that Youtuber Jyoti Malhotra was part of a wider espionage network operating across Haryana and Punjab, comprising agents, informants, and financial handlers. This network reportedly facilitated the collection and transmission of information detrimental to India’s security interests.
“As part of the probe, we are collecting concrete evidence to file a strong chargesheet and ensure the highest punishment,” DGP Kapur stated. “Intelligence agencies remain in continuous coordination with district police units.”
Connection to Other Recent Arrests
The timing of Youtuber Jyoti Malhotra’s arrest is significant, coming just one day after authorities detained Devender Singh, a 25-year-old postgraduate student from Kaithal, for alleged links to Pakistani intelligence operatives. Prior to that, 24-year-old Nauman Ilahi from Shamli was arrested in Panipat under similar charges.
These sequential arrests suggest a coordinated effort by Indian security agencies to dismantle what they believe to be an organized espionage ring operating in the northern states.
Odisha Police Join Investigation After Puri Connection Emerges
In a significant development, the Odisha Police have initiated their own investigation into Youtuber Jyoti Malhotra’s activities following revelations about her visit to Puri in September 2024. During this trip, she allegedly met with a local woman YouTuber who had recently traveled to Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan.
Puri SP Vinit Agrawal confirmed that Youtuber Jyoti Malhotra had visited the city and met with this individual, though he deferred to Haryana Police on the question of whether intelligence was shared during that meeting.
“The Haryana Police are leading the investigation, and we are cooperating fully,” SP Agrawal stated, indicating the multi-state nature of the investigation.
Diplomatic Fallout: Danish Declared Persona Non Grata
The case has already had diplomatic repercussions. On May 13, 2025, just days before Youtuber Jyoti Malhotra’s arrest, the Indian government declared Danish, her alleged Pakistani handler, a “persona non grata” for engaging in activities inconsistent with his diplomatic status.
Danish was ordered to leave the country within 24 hours, a severe diplomatic measure that underscores the seriousness with which Indian authorities view these alleged espionage activities.
Family Denies Allegations, Claims Conspiracy
Despite the mounting evidence presented by authorities, Youtuber Jyoti Malhotra’s family has vehemently denied all allegations against her. Her father has dismissed the charges, characterizing them as a conspiracy to defame the family.
However, investigators continue to build their case, focusing particularly on her financial transactions, travel history, and social media content for clues about her network and intentions.
Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps
As Youtuber Jyoti Malhotra remains in police custody, authorities are investigating several key angles:
- The source of funding for her frequent international travels
- The nature and extent of information allegedly shared with foreign operatives
- Her Indian contacts who may have introduced her to PIOs
- The content she produced and its potential use for intelligence purposes
Security agencies are also scrutinizing her social media channels for subtle messaging or coded communications that may have escaped previous notice.
The case of Youtuber Jyoti Malhotra highlights the evolving nature of espionage in the digital age, where social media influencers with legitimate public platforms may be exploited or recruited for intelligence gathering. As the investigation continues, it serves as a stark reminder of the sophisticated methods employed by hostile intelligence agencies and the ongoing vigilance required to counter such threats.
