New Delhi: Indian YouTuber and travel vlogger Jyoti Malhotra, known for her popular channel Travel with Jo, is at the center of a growing espionage probe after police alleged that she was in contact with a Pakistani intelligence officer. However, authorities clarified on Wednesday that no evidence has emerged linking her to any terrorist outfit or extremist activity.
Malhotra, 33, who commands a strong online presence with over 3.87 lakh YouTube subscribers and more than 1 lakh Instagram followers, was arrested last week under the Official Secrets Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita Act. Her arrest is part of a larger crackdown that has seen at least 12 individuals detained across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh over the past fortnight.
According to police, Malhotra was allegedly in touch with a Pakistani ISI officer operating under the alias Danish, whose real name is believed to be Ehsan-ur-Rahim. The officer, already declared persona non grata by the Indian government, reportedly made contact with Malhotra and facilitated her introduction to other Pakistani nationals, including officials Shakir and Rana Shahbaz, through a man named Ali Ahwan.
“Danish was developing her as an asset. She had begun engaging with other YouTube influencers and her travel work provided plausible cover,” said a spokesperson for Hisar Police.
The investigation also revealed WhatsApp conversations between Malhotra and the ISI handler. In one of the chats quoted by NDTV, she allegedly wrote: “Get me married in Pakistan.”
However, Hisar Superintendent of Police clarified that there is “no formal evidence” suggesting her intent to convert or marry a Pakistani national. “We have not recovered any documentation that indicates she planned to change her religion or marry any PIO (Pakistani Intelligence Operative),” he said.
Malhotra had reportedly visited Pakistan twice in recent years, with one visit allegedly facilitated through her contacts at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. These visits, combined with her growing proximity to individuals linked to Pakistani intelligence, raised red flags within Indian intelligence circles.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) are now working jointly to determine whether Malhotra’s case is an isolated incident or part of a broader espionage ring operating in northern India. Preliminary findings suggest that a coordinated effort may have been underway to recruit Indian nationals with public platforms for intelligence gathering.
