YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra Among Six Arrested in India for Alleged Espionage for Pakistan
| 2025-05-18
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Indian YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra and five others have been arrested for allegedly sharing sensitive military data with Pakistani operatives, officials confirmed.
Allegations of Espionage
Indian police have arrested Jyoti Malhotra, a 33-year-old travel YouTuber from Hisar, Haryana, on charges of espionage for Pakistan. Malhotra, who ran the channel Travel With Jo, was detained alongside five others from Punjab and Haryana for allegedly transmitting sensitive information to Pakistani operatives.
According to police reports, Malhotra came into contact with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish, a staff member at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. Rahim was declared persona non grata by the Indian government on 13 May 2025 and expelled for engaging in espionage-related activities.
Authorities claim Malhotra first visited the Pakistan High Commission in 2023 to obtain a visa. During that visit, she began communicating with Rahim and subsequently travelled to Pakistan twice, where she was introduced to several Pakistani intelligence officials.
"In Pakistan, I met officials who were part of their intelligence network," Malhotra reportedly told police. "I continued to communicate with them through apps like WhatsApp, Snapchat and Telegram, and started sharing information that could harm India's interests."
Investigators say Malhotra saved the contact number of one intelligence official, identified as Shakir, under a disguised name—“Jatt Randhawa”—to conceal the relationship. Officials further allege that she maintained personal and digital connections with these operatives and was used to portray a favourable image of Pakistan on social media platforms.
She has been charged under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as well as Sections 3, 4, and 5 of India’s Official Secrets Act, 1923. She is currently in police custody and the investigation has been transferred to the Economic Offences Wing in Hisar.
Wider Espionage Network
The case has led authorities to uncover a broader intelligence-gathering network operating across Haryana and Punjab. Among those arrested are a security guard, a university student, and several civilians alleged to have received money or instructions from Pakistani contacts.
One of the accused, 32-year-old Guzala from Malerkotla in Punjab, reportedly met Rahim during a visit to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. Officials say she was convinced to use encrypted communication platforms and was promised marriage by the Pakistani official as part of an alleged manipulation strategy. She received financial transfers through mobile payment platforms such as PhonePe and Google Pay.
Guzala is also accused of helping facilitate visa arrangements for others, including her friend Banu Nasreena. Both women were granted visas during a second visit to the High Commission in April 2025, with assistance allegedly provided by Rahim.
Another accused, Devinder Singh Dhillon, a 25-year-old student from Haryana, reportedly travelled to Pakistan through the Kartarpur Corridor in 2024. Police say he later shared images of military installations in Patiala and posted photos of firearms on social media. During questioning, he admitted to having been in contact with Pakistani intelligence officers.
Also named in the case is Arman from Nuh, Haryana, who allegedly provided Indian SIM cards, transferred money on behalf of the operatives, and attended the Defence Expo 2025 under their instructions.
Romance and Recruitment
Indian authorities believe the espionage ring used emotional manipulation, financial incentives, and promises of romantic relationships to recruit individuals, many of whom came from socially or economically vulnerable backgrounds.
“The operatives exploited personal vulnerabilities,” an official told local media. “The accused were persuaded using fabricated emotional bonds, monetary benefits, and religious or cultural affiliations.”
Officials say the case represents a sophisticated attempt to use civilian contacts to gain access to sensitive locations, communication data, and to influence online narratives.
Public Persona vs Secret Activity
Jyoti Malhotra, who described herself online as a "nomadic wanderer", documented her visits to Pakistan in video content that has since drawn scrutiny. In a YouTube video posted in March 2025, she enthusiastically narrated her experience of crossing the Wagah border and visiting Hindu pilgrimage sites.
“It’s a memorable moment; you get goosebumps,” she said in Hindi, describing the journey. She also detailed currency exchange rates and local experiences in Lahore, including a food tour during Ramadan and temple visits.
However, investigators now believe these visits served as a cover for meetings with intelligence handlers. Reports also suggest Malhotra travelled to Bali, Indonesia, in the company of a Pakistani operative.
Context: Indo-Pakistani Tensions
The arrests follow heightened security concerns in the wake of a recent terror attack in Pahalgam and India’s military response, termed “Operation Sindoor”. The diplomatic fallout from these events saw India expel Pakistani High Commission staff accused of espionage.
India and Pakistan have a history of complex and often strained relations, particularly around issues of cross-border terrorism and intelligence operations. Both countries have expelled diplomats and operatives in the past on similar grounds.
Indian authorities say the current case is under active investigation, with law enforcement agencies collaborating across state lines to uncover the full extent of the network.
No formal response has yet been issued by the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.
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