Haryana YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, known for her cross-border travel vlogs, has been arrested on serious charges of espionage and sedition.
In a chilling revelation that has shaken India’s digital community, Haryana-based travel vlogger and YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra was arrested on Saturday by the Anti-Espionage Wing of Haryana Police. The charges? Allegedly leaking sensitive defense information to Pakistani intelligence via a diplomat named Danish, who has since been expelled from India.
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Who is Jyoti Malhotra?
Jyoti Malhotra is the daughter of a retired officer from Haryana Power DISCOM and holds a graduate degree. With over 3.21 lakh subscribers on her YouTube channel, she created content primarily focusing on her travels to Pakistan, including videos titled “Indian Girl in Pakistan,” “Indian Girl Exploring Lahore,” and “Indian Girl at Katas Raj Temple.” Her channel hosts 487 videos in total, many of which portray Pakistan in a positive light.
The Danish Connection: Espionage via Diplomacy
According to officials, Malhotra established contact with Danish (real name Ehsan-ur-Rehman) in 2023 when applying for a visa to Pakistan. Danish was a staff member at the Pakistani High Commission in Delhi and, according to intelligence sources, a covert ISI operative. He was expelled from India on May 13 over espionage charges.
The FIR claims that Malhotra had multiple in-person meetings with Danish at the embassy and was later introduced to other intelligence agents, including Ali Ahwan, Shakir, and Rana Shahbaz, during her visits to Pakistan. Reports also confirm that Shahbaz’s number was saved in her phone under the alias “Jatt Randhawa” to avoid suspicion.
Intimate Links & Trips to Pakistan
Authorities allege that Malhotra visited Pakistan twice in 2023 and stayed under arrangements made by her Pakistani handlers. She reportedly developed an intimate relationship with one intelligence officer and even traveled with him to Bali, Indonesia. The financial expenses of these trips were covered by Pakistani agencies.
Digital Trail: WhatsApp, Telegram, Snapchat Used for Spying
Investigations have revealed that Jyoti shared confidential Indian defense details using encrypted platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat. She attempted to mask her activities by saving contacts under fake names and disguising communications as travel-related.
Legal Action and Charges
Jyoti has been booked under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act and Section 153 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The authorities are treating this as a severe threat to national security, given the sensitive nature of the shared information.
