‘Travel with Jo’ creator Jyoti Malhotra accused of being part of espionage network across northern India
Jyoti Malhotra, a well-known travel vlogger from Hisar, Haryana, has been arrested for allegedly passing sensitive information to Pakistani intelligence agencies. Known for her YouTube channel Travel with Jo, which has over 377,000 subscribers, Malhotra has now become a key suspect in what authorities describe as a major cross-border espionage network.
Booked Under India’s Espionage Laws
Hisar police confirmed Malhotra was charged under Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, along with Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). She was remanded to five days of police custody, and the case has been handed over to the Economic Offences Wing for in-depth investigation. Police claim she confessed to spying activities during initial interrogation.
Alleged Links to Pakistan High Commission Official
According to the FIR filed at the Hisar Civil Lines Police Station, Malhotra reportedly established contact with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, alias Danish, an employee at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. Danish allegedly acted as her handler and introduced her to Pakistani intelligence operatives (PIOs). Communication was reportedly maintained through encrypted platforms.
International Travel Raises Further Suspicions
Officials revealed that Malhotra traveled to Pakistan twice in 2023, where she met with individuals identified as Ali Ehwan, Shakir, and Rana Shahbaz. She allegedly stored their numbers under aliases like “Jatt Randhawa” to evade detection. Authorities also claim she traveled to Bali, Indonesia, accompanied by a Pakistani operative, suggesting a deeper operational involvement.
Espionage Network Spans Across North India
The arrest is part of a broader probe into a suspected espionage ring operating across Haryana and Punjab. At least six people have been detained in connection with the network, which allegedly funneled sensitive data and logistical support to Pakistan-based handlers. Investigators believe Malhotra played a crucial role in facilitating communication and coordination.
Influence Through Social Media
Investigators allege Malhotra used her digital platform to project a favorable image of Pakistan, possibly as part of a coordinated influence campaign. With a large audience on YouTube and other platforms, she is accused of helping shape public perception under the guise of a travel blogger.
Backdrop of Rising Indo-Pak Tensions
The arrest comes amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions following an April terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, where 26 people were killed. Survivors claimed Hindu men were targeted at close range. The attack was claimed by a group calling itself Kashmir Resistance, which India says has ties to the Pakistani-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba.
In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, striking nine terrorist infrastructure sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Authorities believe the espionage network in which Malhotra was allegedly involved could be linked to efforts to destabilize the region further.
As of now, Jyoti Malhotra has not issued any public statement. Her YouTube channel remains active, though under scrutiny, and officials are examining whether her digital activities were coordinated with foreign intelligence services. The investigation remains ongoin
