Indian YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra Arrested on Allegations of Spying for Pakistan; Family Denies Charges



Jyoti Malhotra, a popular Indian travel vlogger and YouTuber, has been arrested by Haryana police on charges of espionage for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The 33-year-old influencer, who runs the YouTube channel Travel with JO with over 307,000 subscribers, is accused of maintaining contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives and sharing sensitive information.


Authorities allege that Malhotra traveled to Pakistan multiple times, including a recent visit in March 2025, and was in touch with a staffer from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, who was expelled earlier this month. Police claim she was “groomed” by Pakistani handlers and used encrypted platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat to communicate and pass information. Investigations also suggest possible links to recent security incidents, including the Pahalgam attack.


The police have registered a formal case under the Official Secrets Act and other relevant laws, and Malhotra has been remanded in custody for further interrogation.


However, Malhotra’s family strongly denies the allegations. Her father, Harish Malhotra, told the media that Jyoti traveled to Pakistan with official permission and only maintained friendly contacts there. He emphasized that “when someone goes outside, can’t they have friends?” and described the conversations as normal. He also requested the authorities to return the belongings seized during the investigation, including laptops, mobile phones, and bank documents.


Malhotra’s social media presence portrays her as a “modern girl with old ideas,” showcasing travels not only to Pakistan but also to countries like Bangladesh, China, Thailand, UAE, and Indonesia, as well as various religious sites across India. Police have questioned how her extensive travels were funded, as they do not align with her known income sources.


This arrest is part of a broader crackdown on alleged Pakistani spy networks operating in northern India, with several other individuals recently detained in Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat.


The case continues to unfold as authorities intensify their probe into the extent of espionage activities linked to social media influencers and their possible impact on national security.

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