Haryana Police Nab YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra in Espionage Case Linked to Pakistan
Major Arrests in Haryana Over Espionage Charges
Chandigarh: Six individuals, including Jyoti Malhotra, a YouTuber and travel influencer from Hisar, have been apprehended by Haryana Police on allegations of espionage and relaying sensitive information to operatives in Pakistan, officials reported on Saturday.
These arrests are part of a broader crackdown in Haryana, following the apprehension of two individuals by Punjab Police for espionage linked to the Pakistan High Commission, coinciding with a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan.
Malhotra, who made two trips to Pakistan in 2023, has been placed under a five-day police remand as authorities investigate her connections to a spy network operating in Haryana and Punjab.
Vikas Kumar, a police spokesperson, stated that interrogations are underway to extract further details regarding the alleged offenses.
The first information report (FIR) indicates that Malhotra visited the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi in 2023, where she met Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish, a staff member.
She is accused of disseminating sensitive information about Indian locations and was allegedly utilized to promote a favorable image of Pakistan on social media.
Danish, who was expelled from India on May 13 and declared persona non grata, introduced her to various intelligence agents in Pakistan.
Investigators claim that she developed a personal relationship with an intelligence operative and traveled to Bali, Indonesia, with him.
While Danish was in Delhi, she reportedly maintained regular communication with him. During her visits to Pakistan, she allegedly met with intelligence officials and began providing them with sensitive data regarding Indian military installations and troop movements.
Malhotra is said to have used encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat for communication, storing contacts of Pakistan's ISI under pseudonyms to hide their identities.
Operating a YouTube channel titled 'Travel with Jo', she has been charged under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) based on a statement from Sub-Inspector Bijender Singh at the Civil Lines Police Station in Hisar.
Additionally, Devender Dhillon, a resident of a village in Kaithal district, was arrested on similar espionage charges, accused of leaking strategic information, including updates on Operation Sindoor.
Earlier this week, Punjab Police detained two individuals, including a 31-year-old woman, for their alleged involvement in espionage activities connected to an official at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.
The arrested individuals, Gazala and Yameen Mohamad, both from Malerkotla in Punjab, were found with two mobile phones containing sensitive information.
This development follows the arrest of Falaksher Masih and Suraj Masih by Amritsar (Rural) Police for allegedly leaking sensitive information and images of military cantonments and air bases to Pakistan's intelligence agency.
Punjab's Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav stated that initial investigations revealed the arrested individuals were receiving payments through online transactions for sharing classified information.
They were reportedly in regular contact with their handler and were involved in channeling funds to other local operatives as directed.
The DGP emphasized that this operation represents a significant effort to dismantle cross-border espionage networks and underscores the commitment to national security.
Senior Superintendent of Police Gagan Ajit Singh noted that Gazala was arrested based on a tip-off for leaking sensitive information about Indian Army movements to a handler based in Pakistan.
Following her disclosures during questioning, Yameen Mohamad was also identified and taken into custody.
Gazala reportedly admitted to her actions being financially motivated, revealing that she received Rs 30,000 in two transactions—Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000—via UPI.