New Delhi: Jyoti Malhotra, a Haryana-based travel vlogger with a large social media following, has been arrested along with six others for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistani agents. She is accused of being part of an espionage network operating across Haryana and Punjab.
Well-known YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who runs the channel Travel with Jo, has been arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan. Malhotra, known for her travel vlogs and international trips, was taken into custody with six others. Investigators claim she passed sensitive information to Pakistani intelligence agents.
Malhotra had 3.77 lakh followers on YouTube and over 1.32 lakh followers on Instagram. Her posts highlighted her as a “Nomadic Leo Girl,” and a “Haryanvi + Punjabi modern girl with old ideas.”
Trip to Pakistan Raises Red Flags
Jyoti posted several videos of her trip to Pakistan earlier this year. These included visits to Lahore’s Anarkali Bazaar, a bus ride in the city, and her time at the historic Katas Raj Temple. One photo on Instagram had a caption in Urdu: “Ishq Lahore” (Love for Lahore).
She showcased Pakistani food, culture, and traditions, often drawing comparisons between the two countries in a positive tone. Authorities now claim that these videos may have been part of a propaganda strategy orchestrated by foreign handlers.
Connection with Pakistan’s Intelligence
Officials say Malhotra first visited Pakistan in 2023 on a visa arranged through commission agents. During this visit, she allegedly met Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish, a Pakistani official at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.
The two developed close ties. Ehsan later introduced her to Pakistani intelligence operatives. He was declared persona non grata and expelled from India on May 13, 2025.
Ongoing Espionage Activities
According to investigators, Malhotra continued communicating with Pakistani agents via encrypted apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat. She stored their numbers under fake names like “Jatt Randhawa” to avoid detection.
She reportedly made three trips to Pakistan and even travelled to Bali, Indonesia, with one of the operatives. Authorities said she had also visited Kashmir last year, and recently posted a video commenting on the Pahalgam terror attack.
Bigger Network Suspected
Police believe that Malhotra is part of a wider espionage ring operating in Haryana and Punjab. The network allegedly includes multiple people working to gather and share information with Pakistan.
Her arrest is a serious development in the backdrop of strained India-Pakistan relations and comes just weeks after Operation Sindoor was launched in response to the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people.
The investigation is ongoing.
Tags: #JyotiMalhotra #Espionage #PakistanSpyNetwork #TravelWithJo #IndiaPakistan #NationalSecurity #OperationSindoor
