YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra Arrested for Spying, Allegedly Linked to Pakistan Intelligence

Spying Charges Land YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra in Custody; Pakistan Link Probed

Written by: Supriya Kadu

Edited by: Pinky Deshmukh

Last Updated: May 19, 2025

Summary: Jyoti Malhotra, a Haryana-based travel blogger, was detained for allegedly spying for Pakistan, raising national security concerns and prompting an investigation into her influencer network.

Malhotra, known for her YouTube channel "Travel with JO," apparently was in touch with Pakistani handlers via social media. She was communicating with them through WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat. Officials suspect she may have revealed crucial information about Indian military sites and operations.

During the investigation, it was discovered that Malhotra had flown to Pakistan multiple times, apparently on sponsored trips, and interacted with people related to Pakistani intelligence. She was clearly in Pakistan shortly before the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, raising concerns about her role.

The arrest has also called other Indian influencers into question. Authorities are looking into any links between Malhotra and other goods providers, including Priyanka Senapati, who accompanied Malhotra on a trip to the Jagannath Temple in Puri. Senapati states that she was unaware of Malhotra's supposed actions and is cooperating with the investigation.

Malhotra is charged under the Official Secrets Act and other provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. She will be in police custody for five days while the inquiry is ongoing.

This caused concerns about national security and the misuse of social media. As a result, officials have increased security measures and are constantly monitoring the activities of content providers and influencers.