Jyoti Malhotra, a YouTuber from Haryana, has been arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan. Jyoti Malhotra was produced in court by the police on Saturday in connection with her meeting with an employee of the Pakistan High Commission, from where she has been sent on five-day police remand.
According to the information, Ehsan ur Rahim alias Danish, a Pakistani employee posted in the Pakistan High Commission, had invited Jyoti Malhotra for dinner. During this, there was a conversation between the two and the YouTuber also recorded a video with him. Later, Danish and his partner Ali Ehsan introduced Jyoti to Pakistan’s intelligence officers (PIOS).
Jyoti communicated with a PIO Shakir alias Rana Shahbaz saved under the name ‘Jatt Randhawa’ on encrypted apps like WhatsApp, Telegram and Snapchat. Jyoti has been booked under Section 152 of the Indian Penal Code (BNS) and Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act 1923. Her written confession has been taken and the case has been handed over to the Economic Offences Wing of Hisar.
It is being said that Ehsan ur Rahim alias Danish was plotting against India while staying in India. Security agencies have started investigating this meeting considering it is serious. After appearing in the court, the police have now got five days so that they can question Jyoti Malhotra in detail about this meeting and conversation.
3.77 lakh subscribers on YouTube channel Jyoti’s YouTube channel is ‘Travel with Jo’, on which she has around 3.77 lakh subscribers. At the same time, her Instagram account ‘travelwithjo1’ also has more than 1.32 lakh followers.
Traveled to many foreign places
Jyoti’s social media accounts show that she visited many foreign places including India, including Indonesia and China. But the agencies are keeping an eye on her Pakistan visit, the videos of which she posted two months ago.
Made videos of Pakistan’s Anarkali market
In these videos, Jyoti can be seen crossing the Attari-Wagah border, roaming in Lahore’s Anarkali market, traveling by bus and visiting Pakistan’s largest Hindu temple ‘Katasraj Temple’.
Investigative agencies believe that Jyoti Malhotra was chosen by foreign agents because of her impressive social media profile and was asked to make videos that would show a positive image of Pakistan.
Jyoti Malhotra has been arrested along with six others who are accused of sharing sensitive information with Pakistani agents. At present, the police are investigating the matter thoroughly.
Youtuber’s connection with Pakistan
Investigators said that Malhotra visited Pakistan in 2023 after obtaining a visa through commission agents. During her visit, she came in contact with an officer named Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, who was posted at the Pakistan High Commission (PHC) in New Delhi.
Soon, they developed a close relationship and Ehsan introduced her to intelligence officials in Pakistan. Earlier this month, Ehsan was declared persona non grata and expelled on May 13, 2025.
Espionage activities
Assigned the task of projecting a positive image of Pakistan through social media.
Formed close relations with a PIO and recently travelled together to Bali, Indonesia.
Shared sensitive information on Indian locations and remained in touch with Danish while in Delhi.
Social media influence used for intelligence and propaganda operations.
Major conspiracy exposed
The case is part of a larger espionage network in which six Indian nationals, including Jyoti, have been found to be working as agents or conduits for Pak intelligence agencies and high commission staff. The arrests were made from Hisar, Kaithal, Nuh in Haryana and Malerkotla in Punjab.
Other key arrests
Malerkotla, Punjab
Ghazala (32), a Muslim widow, and Yamin Mohammad were arrested for helping with financial transactions and visa processing for Danish.
Kaithal, Haryana
Devinder Singh Dhillon, a Sikh student, came in contact during his visit to Pakistan and later sent a video of Patiala Cantonment to Pak agents.
Nuh, Haryana
A youth named Arman provided Indian SIM cards and became a medium for intelligence and fund transfer. He had access to the site of Defense Expo 2025.
Investigation is on in this entire case and security agencies are also investigating other parts of the network.