Mon May 19 07:05:20 UTC 2025: **Headline: Travel YouTuber Arrested on Espionage Charges, Accused of Spying for Pakistan**
**Hisar, India** – Jyoti Malhotra, a popular travel YouTuber with nearly 400,000 subscribers, has been arrested and remanded in custody for five days on charges of espionage. Police allege that Malhotra, 33, was cultivating ties with Pakistani intelligence officials and sharing information, potentially compromising national security.
According to Hisar Superintendent of Police Shashank Kumar Sawan, Malhotra came into contact with Pakistani Public Information Officers (PIO) and was being developed as an asset to push Pakistani narratives. Her travels, particularly multiple trips to Pakistan, raised suspicion. During these trips, she allegedly met with Pakistani security and intelligence officials.
“This is also (a kind of) warfare, in which they try to push their narrative by recruiting influencers,” Sawan told the media.
Police investigations revealed that Malhotra was in contact with a Pakistani officer named Danish, posted at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, during a period of heightened tension following India’s Operation Sindoor, launched in response to a terror attack. Authorities seized her phones and electronic devices to further investigate her communication and the extent of information shared.
Malhotra reportedly admitted to befriending Danish, meeting with his acquaintance Ali Ahwaan in Pakistan, and attending high-profile parties. She further confessed to meeting with Pakistani security and intelligence officials and maintaining contact through encrypted messaging apps.
Authorities are also scrutinizing Malhotra’s finances, noting a lavish lifestyle inconsistent with her reported income. She allegedly travelled first class, stayed in luxury hotels, and dined at expensive restaurants, suggesting sponsored trips and potential financial incentives.
The arrest has sparked concerns about the vulnerability of influencers to foreign intelligence agencies. Police are investigating whether Malhotra is part of a larger network of influencers being used to spread propaganda. Further investigations are underway to determine the extent of the damage caused by her alleged activities.
Jyoti’s father said she visited Pakistan to shoot YouTube videos and went after getting necessary permissions. He added, If she has some friends there, can’t she call them?
Malhotra has been charged under the Official Secrets Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
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