Hisar-based travel vlogger Jyoti Malhotra is at the centre of a serious espionage probe after being arrested on May 16 for allegedly maintaining direct contacts with Pakistani intelligence operatives (PIOs). Authorities suspect she was being groomed to act as a future asset for cross-border intelligence operations. Her frequent visits to Pakistan and China have drawn intense scrutiny from Indian law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
Frequent Visits to Pakistan Before Pahalgam Attack
According to Hisar Superintendent of Police (SP) Shashank Kumar Sawan, Malhotra had visited Pakistan multiple times — including shortly before the recent Pahalgam terror attack. SP Sawan revealed that she also travelled to China during this period. These trips raised red flags, especially given their timing and her pattern of interactions with known intelligence-linked individuals.
Malhotra was arrested under sections of the Official Secrets Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and has been remanded to five days of police custody.
Travel Blogging as a Cover?
Though she appeared to be an innocuous travel vlogger on the surface — running a YouTube channel called Travel with JO with over 3.77 lakh subscribers — her foreign travel expenses did not align with her known sources of income. Authorities are now investigating whether external funding supported her international trips.
“We are coordinating with central agencies and reviewing her financial records and travel history. There are significant inconsistencies between her earnings and expenses,” SP Sawan noted during a press briefing.
Alleged Links to Pakistani Intelligence Network
Investigators claim Malhotra had direct interactions with individuals identified as PIOs — some of whom have been designated persona non grata by the Indian government. One such figure, Danish (alias Ehsan-ur-Rahim), reportedly first met her at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi in 2023. He later introduced her to two Pakistani officials, Shakir and Rana Shahbaz, during her visit to Pakistan.
To conceal these communications, she saved Shakir’s contact under a fake name — “Jatt Randhawa” — and used encrypted platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, and Snapchat for ongoing conversations. Danish, meanwhile, has been expelled from India for activities inconsistent with his diplomatic role.
Met Influential Figures in Pakistan
According to SP Sawan, Malhotra not only travelled extensively in Pakistan but also met several high-profile individuals during her visits. Intelligence reports suggest these engagements weren’t mere travel encounters but strategic interactions aimed at cultivating influence and gathering information.
Her YouTube content and online presence are being thoroughly analysed to uncover possible coded messaging or concealed communications.
Odisha Police Probe Link to Puri-Based YouTuber
Malhotra’s visit to Puri in September 2024 has led Odisha Police to open a parallel investigation. She reportedly met a local woman YouTuber who had also visited Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan. The nature of their meeting is under scrutiny, and Puri SP Vinit Agrawal confirmed ongoing cooperation with Haryana Police in the matter.
A Widening Web of Espionage Across States
Her arrest follows a broader pattern of detentions in Haryana and Punjab, involving individuals allegedly linked to espionage. Just before Malhotra’s detention, 25-year-old Devender Singh from Kaithal and 24-year-old Nauman Ilahi from Shamli were also arrested under similar charges.
Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapur commented that under “Operation Sindoor,” multiple individuals involved in anti-national activities have been identified, and coordination between local and central agencies continues to ensure strong legal action.
Family Cries Foul, Denies All Charges
Malhotra’s family has strongly denied the allegations. Her father labelled the accusations a conspiracy to tarnish the family’s reputation and insisted that Jyoti was merely pursuing her passion for travel blogging.
Despite the denial, the seriousness of the charges and the evidence being unearthed point toward a well-planned network operating under the guise of digital content creation.
Conclusion:
The case of Jyoti Malhotra shines a spotlight on how social media and influencer culture can potentially be exploited by foreign intelligence agencies. As the investigation progresses, it underscores the growing need for tighter scrutiny over online influencers with international exposure and unexplained financial backing.