Travel Vlogger Arrested for Alleged Spying for Pakistan
Popular YouTuber Accused of Sharing Sensitive Information
CHANDIGARH: Haryana police have arrested a well-known travel vlogger from Hisar. Jyoti Malhotra, 34, is accused of spying. She allegedly shared sensitive information with Pakistani intelligence.
Who is Jyoti Malhotra?
- 34-year-old travel vlogger
- Runs a popular YouTube channel with over 320,000 subscribers
- Has a large following on various social media platforms
- Accused of spreading pro-Pakistan content online
Jyoti was remanded in five-day police custody. Police say she traveled to Pakistan four times. She also went to Bali with an operative she was in a relationship with.
Meeting with Pakistani Intel Operative
Jyoti admitted to meeting Pakistani intel operative Ehsan-ur-Rahim. This meeting happened at the Pakistan high commission in New Delhi in 2023. Ehsan-ur-Rahim was later expelled.
Encrypted Contacts
Police say Jyoti kept in touch with Pakistani intel operatives using encrypted platforms. She used apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat. She saved their numbers under fake names such as “Jatt Randhawa”. Jyoti mostly lived in New Delhi.
Further Investigations
According to DSP Kamaljit Singh, Jyoti admitted to meeting Pakistani intelligence operative Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish. Danish, who was expelled on May 13 this year, allegedly helped her extend her visa. He introduced her to handlers, including two men identified as Shakir and Rana Shahbaz.
Police have seized her phone, laptop, and other devices for forensic analysis. They are also checking her bank records to trace possible financial transactions linked to espionage.
Legal Actions
A case has been registered under sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act. It also includes section 153 of BNS. This case has been registered in Hisar.
Recent Arrests
This is the seventh espionage-related arrest in Haryana and Punjab since May 7. On May 11, Punjab police arrested two people from Malerkotla linked to Pakistani official Danish.
Haryana police arrested Naumen Elahi, a native of UP’s Kairana, on May 13. Kaithal student Devender Singh Dhillon was arrested on May 15. Both are accused of passing information to Pakistani handlers.
Dhillon, an MA student, was allegedly “recruited” during a visit to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib through the Kartarpur corridor. Two others working inside Bathinda military station were arrested on May 7 and 14 on similar suspicions.
Police found suspicious data on one suspect’s phone. Their roles are still under investigation.
