In a significant security breach that has sparked shockwaves across the country, six Indian nationals — including a Haryana-based YouTuber — have been arrested for their alleged involvement in passing sensitive information to operatives linked to Pakistan’s intelligence network.
Investigators have uncovered what they describe as a sophisticated and covert espionage ring operating across the northern Indian states of Haryana and Punjab, involving informants, financial intermediaries, and logistical facilitators.
Among those arrested, the most high-profile individual is Jyoti Malhotra, a well-known travel content creator who ran the YouTube channel Travel with Jo. With nearly 400,000 subscribers and a strong presence on Instagram,
Jyoti was widely followed for her travel vlogs — including those that covered visits to Pakistan under the guise of religious tourism.
According to intelligence sources cited by various online portals and media agencies, Malhotra first came under scrutiny after her 2023 visit to Pakistan.
She reportedly secured a visa through commission-based agents, circumventing the typical rigorous scrutiny associated with travel to the neighbouring country.
During this trip, authorities claim, she established a personal and professional connection with a man identified as Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known by his alias Danish, a staff member at the Pakistan High Commission (PHC) in New Delhi.
Following intelligence inputs and an internal probe, Danish was declared persona non grata by the Indian government and was officially expelled from the country on May 13, 2025, under suspicions of espionage and subversive activities.
Investigators now allege that Danish was instrumental in introducing Jyoti Malhotra to a wider network of Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs). According to the initial findings,
Malhotra maintained frequent communication with these operatives through encrypted messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat, making it difficult to track their exchanges in real time.
One of the individuals she allegedly stayed in contact with is a Pakistani operative known by the alias Shakir, also referred to as Rana Shahbaz, whose contact was saved on her phone under the pseudonym “Jatt Randhawa.”
This use of false identifiers, say officials, was part of a broader effort to disguise the identities of foreign agents.
Authorities further claim that Jyoti shared geolocation data, visuals, and general logistical information pertaining to sensitive Indian locations with her foreign handlers.
Beyond intelligence leaks, her social media content — often presented under the veneer of cross-border cultural diplomacy or religious pilgrimage — allegedly worked to promote a positive image of Pakistan, potentially aiding soft propaganda efforts.
More controversially, the investigation has revealed that she may have been romantically involved with one of the Pakistani intelligence operatives, and the pair even travelled together to Bali, Indonesia — a trip now under detailed scrutiny.
Her continued communication with Danish, even after he was posted to the PHC in Delhi, raised red flags among security agencies, eventually leading to her apprehension.
Based on evidence collected, a formal case has been registered against Jyoti Malhotra. She has been charged under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, which pertain to unlawful communication and possession of sensitive national information.
A written confession is said to have been obtained during the preliminary interrogation. The case has since been transferred to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in Hisar,
Haryana, for further investigation due to its cross-border financial and intelligence implications.
The arrest has triggered a wave of strong reactions from the public and prominent online voices. Entrepreneur and digital personality Divya Gandotra Tandon took to X (formerly Twitter), expressing her outrage:
“Desh ke gaddaron ko… No mercy for this vile woman, Jyoti Malhotra… she deserves to rot in jail for the rest of her life.”
Legal analyst and YouTuber Ishkaran Singh Bhandari commented on the broader implications of the case:
“Jyoti Malhotra, Indian travel vlogger, around 4 lakh YouTube subscribers, 1 lakh-plus Insta followers — caught spying for Pakistan.
She had visited Pakistan & made videos from there. Many Pakistani friends. Various ways they trap or induce. So many internal dangers in Bharat.”
Another user on the platform added to the concern, drawing attention to the ease with which Jyoti had secured her Pakistani visa in the past:
“YouTuber influencer Jyoti Malhotra (@travelwithjo1) has been arrested for spying for ISI. Her Insta & YouTube profile is full of Pakistan visits in the name of Sikh pilgrimage,
Hindu pilgrimage etc. I always wondered how she got a Pakistan visa so easily. Now we know the answer.”
This unfolding case has underscored the growing threat of digital-era espionage, where influencers and content creators — particularly those with large audiences and transnational outreach — can be exploited as intelligence assets.
Investigative agencies are now examining whether other individuals associated with Jyoti Malhotra’s content or travels may also have played a role in the information leaks.
As the probe deepens, the arrests raise critical questions about vetting procedures for cross-border travel, the role of social media in shaping narratives, and the growing complexity of espionage in the modern digital landscape.
Authorities have not ruled out further arrests and have indicated that more revelations could emerge in the coming weeks.
