Travel Vlogger Jyoti Rani Malhotra Arrested for Allegedly Spying for Pakistan: Under Surveillance by Intelligence Agencies for Months
In a significant development that has raised alarm within security circles, Jyoti Rani Malhotra, a 33-year-old travel content creator from Haryana, has been arrested on charges of espionage.
Malhotra, known for her popular YouTube channel Travel with Jo, was taken into custody by Hisar Police on Friday after intelligence inputs suggested she had been in contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives. Officials revealed that she had allegedly shared sensitive information with a diplomat from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.
The arrest follows months of surveillance by central intelligence agencies, who had flagged Malhotra’s travel patterns and financial inconsistencies.
According to Hisar Superintendent of Police Shashank Kumar Sawan, Malhotra’s international travel history and social media interactions had been under scrutiny for some time. She is currently in police custody under a five-day remand for detailed questioning.
Digital Influence and Alleged Espionage Links
Jyoti Rani Malhotra had carved a niche for herself in the world of digital content, boasting a subscriber base of over 3.77 lakh on YouTube and more than 1.32 lakh followers on Instagram. Her channel, Travel with Jo, primarily focused on travel vlogging, often showcasing international destinations.
However, the facade of an adventurous globetrotter allegedly masked darker dealings. As per the police, Malhotra visited Pakistan several times and also traveled to China.
Investigators are currently analyzing her travel records and financial transactions, which reportedly indicate spending beyond her known income sources.
“One of her trips to Pakistan appears to have been sponsored, and during this visit, she is believed to have met with several high-profile individuals,” said SP Sawan. “It is still unclear what kind of information she may have passed on and to whom exactly. These are key aspects we are trying to establish during interrogation,” he added.
Link to Declared Pakistani Spy
During preliminary questioning, Malhotra allegedly confessed that she had visited the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi in 2023 to obtain a visitor visa.
It was during this interaction that she reportedly came into contact with a Pakistani official named Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known by the alias Danish. According to Indian authorities,
Danish was declared persona non grata by the Government of India on May 13 and was ordered to leave the country due to allegations of espionage.
Police suspect that Malhotra maintained contact with Danish even after the visa application process. Investigators believe this relationship may have facilitated the transfer of sensitive data, although the nature and volume of such information remain under investigation.
Financial Discrepancies and Social Media Forensics
The SP emphasized that Malhotra’s lifestyle, particularly her travel expenses, appeared disproportionate to her declared sources of income.
Before gaining popularity as a content creator, Malhotra reportedly worked for a private firm in Delhi, earning around ₹20,000 per month. Her father, Harish Malhotra, confirmed this, saying,
“She was working in Delhi before the lockdown but returned to Hisar after Covid and began making travel videos.”
“Influencers today often get caught in the pursuit of online fame — views, likes, and followers,” said SP Sawan. “But they may not always understand the implications of their actions, especially when they get involved with foreign operatives who use them to spread narratives or gather intelligence.”
The police have initiated the process of seizing Malhotra’s digital devices, including her laptop and mobile phone. A team of cyber experts has been deployed to conduct a forensic examination of her social media accounts and communications.
Authorities hope this will shed more light on her contacts, online behavior, and any suspicious content or correspondence.
Espionage Charges and National Security Concerns
Malhotra has been booked under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, which deal with spying and disclosure of information prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state.
She has also been charged under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertains to actions endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.
The arrest underscores the evolving nature of espionage in the digital age. “Modern warfare isn’t just about weapons and borders anymore. Information warfare is just as critical.
Recruiting influencers and social media personalities to push a certain agenda or extract data is a very real threat,” SP Sawan stated.
Broader Context of Intelligence Crackdown
The arrest of Jyoti Rani Malhotra comes amidst a broader crackdown on espionage-related activities. Just days prior, two individuals in Punjab’s Gurdaspur were arrested for allegedly leaking military information to Pakistan.
These incidents have heightened concerns among security agencies about the growing use of civilians, including digital creators, in espionage and subversion tactics.
As investigations continue, intelligence agencies are working alongside local police to trace Malhotra’s network and identify others who may be involved, knowingly or unknowingly, in this case.
Further developments are expected once the forensic analysis of her devices is complete and her financial trails are thoroughly examined.
For now, Malhotra remains in custody as authorities delve deeper into what could be a significant case of digital-age espionage with far-reaching implications for national security.
