LATEST IN NEWS
YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra Arrested For Spying During Operation Sindoor
Updated on: 21 May, 2025 05:03 PM IST |Amruta Karulkar
Jyoti Malhotra
In a shocking turn of events that has sent ripples across the nation, popular YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra has been arrested on serious charges of espionage. The Haryana-based influencer, known for her channel ‘Travel with JO’, stands accused of leaking sensitive national information to Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs), a development that has stunned her over 400,000 subscribers and the wider public.
"She confessed to her direct communication with Danish during this period," Hisar police spokesperson said. Kumar further stated, "She was also in contact with several other YouTube influencers. Her three mobile phones and laptop, along with two phones belonging to Harkirat Singh, the IT in-charge of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC), have been sent for forensic examination."
The gravity of the situation is underscored by the involvement of top investigative bodies. Sources revealed that Jyoti Malhotra was questioned extensively by officials from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) regarding her suspected links to PIOs. Her connections and communications are now at the centre of a broader investigation. A senior Hisar police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, added, “She has multiple bank accounts, and there have been numerous transactions. Analysing the financial data will take time.”
Also Read: Pakistani Actors Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan`s Images Removed From Film Posters
Malhotra`s arrest is part of a larger crackdown. She is among 12 individuals arrested across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh over the past two weeks, pointing towards a suspected Pakistan-backed spy network operating in North India. Investigators are also scrutinising Malhotra’s international travel history. Records show she obtained her passport in 2018, valid until 2028, and has travelled to several countries, including Pakistan, China, Dubai, Thailand, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Indonesia.
Also Read: Harshavardhan Rane Slams Sanam Teri Kasam Co-Star Mawra Hocane For This Comment
“Get me married in Pakistan," Jyoti reportedly wrote in one of her messages to Hasan, in response to his good wishes for her. “Jo (Jyoti), I pray you stay happy always, may you keep smiling and never face disappointments in life," Hasan reportedly texted her in Hindi.
It has also come to light that she was in contact with Danish while ‘Operation Sindoor’ was underway. However, investigations revealed that Jyoti had allegedly deleted her chats with Danish in March this year.
Jyoti Malhotra was arrested on May 17. Police are preparing to present Malhotra before a local court on Wednesday, where they will seek an extension of her remand for continued interrogation as her seized phones and laptops undergo further investigation.
Also Read: Javed Akhtar Feels Bollywood Stays Silent On National Issues Due To THIS Reason
Confession and Connections
Officials confirmed on Tuesday that Jyoti Malhotra has confessed to being in regular contact with a staff member of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. According to Hisar Police spokesperson Vikas Kumar, Malhotra admitted during interrogation that she had been in touch with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, alias Danish, a Pakistani national and official at the High Commission, from November 2023 to March 2025. Authorities believe that Danish was actively working to develop Malhotra as an intelligence asset."She confessed to her direct communication with Danish during this period," Hisar police spokesperson said. Kumar further stated, "She was also in contact with several other YouTube influencers. Her three mobile phones and laptop, along with two phones belonging to Harkirat Singh, the IT in-charge of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC), have been sent for forensic examination."
The gravity of the situation is underscored by the involvement of top investigative bodies. Sources revealed that Jyoti Malhotra was questioned extensively by officials from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) regarding her suspected links to PIOs. Her connections and communications are now at the centre of a broader investigation. A senior Hisar police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, added, “She has multiple bank accounts, and there have been numerous transactions. Analysing the financial data will take time.”
Also Read: Pakistani Actors Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan`s Images Removed From Film Posters
Leaks During `Operation Sindoor` and Wider Network
Investigators have learnt that the arrested YouTuber allegedly shared sensitive information, including details about blackouts imposed by India during ‘Operation Sindoor’, with Pakistan. This operation, the specifics of which remain classified, appears to have been a key focus of the intelligence passed on.Malhotra`s arrest is part of a larger crackdown. She is among 12 individuals arrested across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh over the past two weeks, pointing towards a suspected Pakistan-backed spy network operating in North India. Investigators are also scrutinising Malhotra’s international travel history. Records show she obtained her passport in 2018, valid until 2028, and has travelled to several countries, including Pakistan, China, Dubai, Thailand, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Indonesia.
Also Read: Harshavardhan Rane Slams Sanam Teri Kasam Co-Star Mawra Hocane For This Comment
Personal Desires and Deleted Evidence
Adding another layer to the intrigue, amid social media buzz suggesting arrested YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra was married to Pakistan High Commission official Danish, some of her WhatsApp chats have now reportedly revealed she wanted to get married in Pakistan. According to multiple reports, Jyoti Malhotra’s WhatsApp chats with Ali Hasan, who worked for the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), have surfaced. In these chats, the ‘spy’ YouTuber praised Pakistan and expressed her wish to get married there.“Get me married in Pakistan," Jyoti reportedly wrote in one of her messages to Hasan, in response to his good wishes for her. “Jo (Jyoti), I pray you stay happy always, may you keep smiling and never face disappointments in life," Hasan reportedly texted her in Hindi.
It has also come to light that she was in contact with Danish while ‘Operation Sindoor’ was underway. However, investigations revealed that Jyoti had allegedly deleted her chats with Danish in March this year.
Jyoti Malhotra was arrested on May 17. Police are preparing to present Malhotra before a local court on Wednesday, where they will seek an extension of her remand for continued interrogation as her seized phones and laptops undergo further investigation.
Also Read: Javed Akhtar Feels Bollywood Stays Silent On National Issues Due To THIS Reason
ADVERTISEMENT
What's your go-to stress buster?
ADVERTISEMENT
