Accused of Contact with Pakistani Officers During India-Pakistan Conflict
In a high-profile national security development, Haryana-based travel YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, known for her channel ‘Travel with JO’, has been arrested on charges of espionage. The arrest follows revelations of her alleged contact with Pakistani intelligence officers (PIOs) during and before the India-Pakistan conflict that erupted after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025.
Malhotra was arrested from her residence in New Aggarsain Extension, Hisar, on May 16 and has since been remanded in five-day police custody. Authorities are investigating her alleged involvement in exchanging sensitive information through encrypted platforms including WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat.
Contact with Pakistan High Commission and Multiple Foreign Visits
According to Hisar Superintendent of Police Shashank Kumar Sawan, Malhotra was in regular contact with an official at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, identified in the FIR as Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish. She had visited the Pakistani embassy several times, with one recorded visit on March 28, 2024, allegedly to secure a visa.
Her case has sparked concerns over how social media creators can be exploited for influence operations. Brookings Institution highlights how modern espionage can include digital manipulation through influencers and social media platforms.
Police Statement and Espionage Charges
SP Sawan confirmed that Malhotra has been booked under the Official Secrets Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for her alleged involvement in espionage. “She did not have direct access to sensitive military information but was actively in touch with PIOs and was being developed as an asset,” he stated during a press briefing.
“This is a new form of warfare,” the officer noted, “where foreign agencies attempt to push narratives through Indian influencers.” Malhotra’s digital and financial footprints are currently under forensic review, including her travel history and online activities.
Potential Network of Influencers Under Watch
The investigation has widened to include other Indian YouTubers who were allegedly in contact with PIOs. Odisha Police have initiated a parallel probe into a Puri-based female influencer who met Malhotra in September 2024. Police believe there may be a broader network operating under the guise of content creation.
The rise of espionage cases involving civilians is not new. In fact, the Reuters report on espionage in Asia shows a significant increase in such incidents linked to technology and information warfare.
India Expels Pakistani Official Over Espionage
In a related development, India expelled a Pakistani High Commission staffer on May 13, 2025, for allegedly engaging in espionage activities. The individual was reportedly in contact with Malhotra and others in a wider intelligence-gathering network.
Conclusion
As the investigation continues, this case has cast a spotlight on the vulnerabilities of digital platforms and the influence operations being allegedly run through seemingly innocent content creators. Malhotra, who had over 3.77 lakh YouTube subscribers and 1.33 lakh Instagram followers, is now at the center of a national security case that could have far-reaching implications.
Stay tuned for updates as central and state agencies deepen their probe into this case and its wider implications on influencer accountability in India.
