Haryana-based YouTuber Arrested for Espionage, Linked to Pakistani Intelligence Operatives

Agencies, Delhi, May 31, 2025 : The arrest of 33-year-old travel influencer Jyoti Malhotra has ignited a significant espionage investigation, shedding light on potential connections between India and a suspected Pakistan-linked spy network. Malhotra, a resident of Hisar, Haryana, who ran a popular YouTube channel, "Travel with JO," was arrested on May 17, 2025, and charged with espionage under the Official Secrets Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Malhotra is among 12 individuals arrested over the past three weeks in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, suspected of working for a Pakistan-based intelligence operation. Investigators are probing the presence of a spy network operating in northern India. Malhotra’s arrest followed a series of investigations into her interactions with Pakistani intelligence agents, particularly with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, alias Danish, a staff member at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi.

After her arrest, Malhotra was placed in police remand and later sent to judicial custody on May 26. During this period, she has maintained her innocence, with her father, Harish Malhotra, visiting her in jail and speaking to the media about her claims. Despite her protests, the police have revealed critical findings that suggest her involvement in espionage activities. The investigation has uncovered digital evidence, including chat logs, video footage, and financial transactions, linking her to Pakistani operatives.

Malhotra’s travels have been under close scrutiny. She visited several countries, including Pakistan, China, and Bangladesh. One of the most concerning aspects of her case are the videos she posted, which show her receiving high-security treatment during her trips to Pakistan. Footage from her visit to Lahore shows Malhotra walking through Anarkali Bazaar, surrounded by armed security personnel, raising suspicions about her possible role as a target for recruitment by Pakistani intelligence.

Investigators have also examined Malhotra’s electronic devices. Three mobile phones and a laptop were seized, and forensic analysis has revealed that she had been in touch with at least four Pakistani intelligence agents. The data recovered from her devices amounts to nearly 10-12 terabytes, which authorities are currently analyzing. These records confirm that Malhotra had maintained regular contact with Danish, who was expelled from India earlier in May for espionage-related activities. It is believed that Danish facilitated her introduction to Pakistani operatives, and the two were in contact even during the tense military conflict between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025.

Further investigation has also revealed that Malhotra attended an iftar dinner at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi in 2023, where she reportedly interacted with Danish. In one of her videos, Malhotra described her excitement at meeting Pakistani officials and expressed her eagerness to visit Pakistan. Police sources have stated that she was aware of the positions held by these operatives, and the forensic report indicates a series of communications that were tied to espionage activities.

In addition to the digital evidence, Malhotra’s financial transactions are also being examined. The authorities have seized four bank accounts linked to her, and investigators are studying her financial dealings to determine whether any funds were exchanged in connection with espionage activities. Police have clarified that there is no evidence indicating Malhotra had access to sensitive military or defense-related information, but her interactions with known intelligence operatives remain a significant concern.

The Hisar police have been working in coordination with the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the Intelligence Bureau (IB), and military intelligence to further probe the case. These agencies have also questioned Malhotra extensively, and her involvement with foreign intelligence operatives is being explored in greater detail.

In the face of mounting media attention, particularly surrounding her personal life, the police have cautioned the public against speculating on unfounded rumors. A recent press release from the Hisar police clarified that forensic reports were still being processed and emphasized the importance of focusing on verified facts. Malhotra’s father, while expressing his emotional support for his daughter, has reiterated that she insists on her innocence.

Malhotra’s case has drawn national attention, raising concerns about espionage and foreign influence in India. Security experts are closely monitoring the investigation, as it exposes the ongoing threat posed by Pakistan’s intelligence activities in India. The case also highlights the potential vulnerabilities posed by digital platforms and social media, which have become a conduit for espionage in recent years.

Malhotra, currently in judicial custody, has hired lawyer Kumar Mukesh, who will represent her in court during the first hearing scheduled for June 9, 2025. Mukesh has stated that he will begin the process of filing for bail, pending a review of the case documents. The investigation into Malhotra’s activities continues, and authorities are focused on determining the full scope of her connections with Pakistani operatives.

As the case unfolds, it raises critical questions about the intersection of technology, social media, and national security, as well as the ongoing challenge of countering espionage in an increasingly digital world.