Haryana YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra Arrested: Allegations of Espionage and Foreign Connections

Arrest of Jyoti Malhotra

Chandigarh: A senior police official from Haryana has revealed that Jyoti Malhotra, a YouTuber from the region, was allegedly being groomed by Pakistani intelligence as an asset. She was apprehended on charges of espionage.

According to the officer, Malhotra maintained contact with a Pakistani official stationed at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi during the recent military tensions between India and Pakistan that erupted after the April 22 terror incident in Pahalgam.

Hisar's Superintendent of Police, Shashank Kumar Sawan, stated that while Malhotra lacked direct access to sensitive military or defense information, she was in communication with Pakistani intelligence officers.

"They were certainly developing her as an asset. She was also connected with other YouTube influencers who had similar contacts," Sawan explained to reporters in Hisar.

"This represents a form of warfare where narratives are pushed through influencer recruitment," he added.

Malhotra, aged 33, operates a YouTube channel named 'Travel with JO' and was taken into custody from New Aggarsain Extension on Friday.

She faces charges under the Official Secrets Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, as confirmed by police.

Following her court appearance on Saturday, she was placed in a five-day police remand.

Sawan mentioned that the investigation is ongoing, with police scrutinizing her financial records and travel history, including her interactions with various individuals.

The officer noted that Malhotra had traveled to Pakistan multiple times and had visited China once.

When questioned about her activities during the Pahalgam attack and her communications with the Pakistani officer during Operation Sindoor, Sawan confirmed that she was indeed in contact with Pakistani intelligence officers during the conflict.

"We will conduct a forensic examination of her electronic devices to determine what information she may have shared," he stated, emphasizing that while she did not have access to military operations, her connections with intelligence officers were significant.

Sawan also indicated that financial experts are analyzing her transactions and travel details, suggesting that her trips to Pakistan appeared to be sponsored.

He mentioned that she had visited Kashmir prior to the Pahalgam attack and had been to Pakistan before that, with efforts underway to establish connections between these visits.

The investigation is also looking into her associations with other Indian contacts, as there are leads suggesting that more individuals could be involved.

In a related development, Odisha Police have initiated an inquiry into potential links between a YouTuber from Puri and Malhotra, who reportedly visited Puri in September 2024.

Regarding a video where Malhotra was seen at the Pakistani Embassy on March 28, 2024, Sawan remarked, "While socialization is permissible, one must be cautious about intentions, especially with a country like Pakistan."

"Engaging in multiple visits and maintaining contact during conflicts poses risks to national unity and sovereignty," he added.

Sawan noted that Malhotra had allegedly met influential figures in Pakistan, stating, "We will investigate why she met them and what information was exchanged." He confirmed that she has been under the scrutiny of intelligence agencies for some time.

The SP declined to disclose details about any communications between Malhotra and Danish, citing the sensitivity of the matter. "We are examining the case from all perspectives," he concluded.

Malhotra, who boasts 377,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel and 133,000 followers on Instagram, was reportedly in contact with a Pakistani staff member at the High Commission in Delhi.

In 2023, she met Ehsan-ur-Rahim, alias Danish, at the High Commission while seeking a visa to visit Pakistan, as detailed in an FIR filed at the Civil Lines Police Station on May 16.

The FIR indicated that Malhotra had visited Pakistan twice and had met Danish's associate, Ali Ahwan, who facilitated her stay there.

She reportedly communicated with Pakistani security and intelligence officials through platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat, sharing sensitive information.

On May 13, India expelled the Pakistani official from the High Commission for alleged espionage activities, leading to Malhotra's arrest in Hisar shortly thereafter.