Jyoti Malhotra: Haryana-Based Travel Vlogger Arrested for Spying against India

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Avinash

5/17/20254 min read

Jyoti Malhotra, also known as Jyoti Rani, is a 33-year-old travel vlogger from Hisar, Haryana, who gained popularity through her YouTube channel "Travel with Jo," boasting over 377,000 subscribers, and her Instagram account (@travelwithjo1) with 132,000 followers. She was arrested on May 17, 2025, by the Hisar Civil Lines Police as part of a major espionage crackdown, accused of spying for Pakistan and sharing sensitive information with Pakistani intelligence operatives

Background and Online Persona

  • Identity and Content: Malhotra described herself as a "Nomadic Leo Girl, Wanderer Haryanvi + Punjabi modern girl with old ideas" on her social media platforms. Her content focused on travel vlogs, showcasing destinations across India (e.g., Kashmir, Srinagar) and abroad, including Indonesia, China, and notably Pakistan. Her videos often highlighted cultural experiences, such as exploring Lahore’s Anarkali Bazaar, Pakistani cuisine, and Hindu pilgrimage sites like the Katas Raj Temple.

  • Pakistan Travel Vlogs: In 2023, Malhotra visited Pakistan at least twice, with videos posted as recently as March 2025 detailing her experiences crossing the Attari-Wagah border and exploring Pakistani culture. She portrayed a positive image of Pakistan, which investigators later claimed was part of a coordinated effort to serve Pakistani propaganda. One Instagram post captioned in Urdu, "Ishq Lahore," and content comparing Indian and Pakistani cultures drew attention.

  • Influence: Her large follower base provided significant reach, which authorities allege was exploited by Pakistani operatives to amplify pro-Pakistan narratives and gather sensitive information.

Arrest and Espionage Allegations

  • Arrest Details: Malhotra was among six Indian nationals arrested across Haryana and Punjab on May 17, 2025, for allegedly leaking sensitive information to Pakistani intelligence. She was taken into custody by Hisar police, booked under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and placed in five-day police remand. Her case was transferred to the Economic Offences Wing for further investigation after she provided a written confession.

  • Connection to Pakistani Operatives:

    • Key Contact: Malhotra reportedly developed close ties with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a staff member at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, during her 2023 visit to Pakistan. Danish, declared persona non grata and expelled from India on May 13, 2025, allegedly introduced her to multiple Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs).

    • Communication: She maintained contact with operatives, including one named Shakir alias Rana Shahbaz (saved as “Jatt Randhawa” in her phone), via encrypted platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat. These communications allegedly involved sharing sensitive information about Indian military operations, including details related to Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory offensive following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.

    • Personal Involvement: Investigations suggest Malhotra entered into an intimate relationship with a Pakistani operative, with whom she traveled to Bali, Indonesia. This relationship, along with financial incentives, is believed to have deepened her involvement in the espionage network.

  • Espionage Activities: Malhotra is accused of sharing location-sensitive information about Indian territories and military movements, posing a threat to national security. Her vlogs, which included content filmed near army installations, raised suspicions, with some X posts questioning how she gained access to sensitive areas. Authorities claim her actions were part of a broader espionage ring manipulating vulnerable individuals through emotional connections, money, and promises.

Context of the Espionage Network

  • Network Scope: The espionage ring spanned Haryana and Punjab, involving agents, financial conduits, and informants. Other arrested individuals included:

    • Guzala, a 32-year-old widow from Malerkotla, Punjab, manipulated through a romantic relationship with Danish and financial payments.

    • Devinder Singh Dhillon, a Sikh student from Kaithal, Haryana, recruited during a 2023 pilgrimage to Pakistan, who sent videos of the Patiala cantonment.

    • Arman from Nuh, Haryana, who supplied Indian SIM cards and visited the Defence Expo 2025 on PIO instructions.

    • Yameen Mohd and Banu Nasreena from Malerkotla, involved in financial and visa-related activities.

  • Operation Sindoor: The arrests followed heightened India-Pakistan tensions after the Pahalgam terror attack, which prompted India’s Operation Sindoor, targeting terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The espionage case was seen as part of Pakistan’s broader strategy to exploit Indian citizens for intelligence and propaganda.

Public and Social Media Reaction

  • X Posts: Posts on X reflect strong public sentiment, with users labeling Malhotra a “traitor” and expressing outrage over her alleged espionage. Some posts highlighted her portrayal of Pakistan’s hospitality and questioned her access to sensitive areas, suggesting possible high-level connections. Others speculated about a “honeytrap” angle, noting her relationship with a Pakistani operative.

  • Criticism: Users on X described her actions as a “shame” and called for stricter monitoring of influencers, with some alleging her “deshbhakti” (patriotic) reels near military sites were a cover for espionage. These claims remain unverified and reflect public speculation rather than confirmed evidence.

Current Status and Investigation

  • Malhotra is in police custody, with ongoing interrogations to uncover further details about the espionage network. Authorities are investigating her financial transactions, communications, and potential additional contacts within India and abroad.

  • The case has prompted calls for stricter screening of social media influencers and their activities near sensitive locations, as well as broader counterintelligence measures to prevent similar incidents.

Critical Notes

  • Source Reliability: The information is drawn from reputable news outlets (e.g., India Today, Hindustan Times, Times of India) and X posts for public sentiment. However, X posts are inconclusive and reflect opinions rather than verified facts. Details like the exact nature of the shared information or Malhotra’s motivations remain under investigation.web:0-24post:0-7

  • Unanswered Questions: It’s unclear how Malhotra gained access to sensitive information or areas, and the full extent of her relationship with Pakistani operatives is still being probed. The role of her social media influence in the espionage operation requires further clarification

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