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News Delhi/Haryana: Jyoti Malhotra, also known as Jyoti Rani, is a 33-year-old travel vlogger from Hisar, Haryana, India, who gained popularity through her YouTube channel “Travel with JO,” which has over 387,000 subscribers and 487 videos as of May 2025. She describes herself as a “Nomadic Leo Girl,” “Wanderer Haryanvi + Punjabi,” and “purane khayalon ki modern ladki” (a modern girl with traditional values). Her content primarily focuses on travel vlogs, showcasing destinations across India and abroad, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Indonesia, and Pakistan. Her Instagram account, @travelwithjo1, has around 137,000 followers, where she shares similar content, often highlighting her solo travels and bike-riding passion.
Background and Social Media Presence
- YouTube Channel: Launched in 2011, “Travel with JO” features nearly 500 videos with over 5.3 million views, covering domestic and international travel. Notable videos include “Indian Girl in Pakistan,” “Indian Girl Exploring Lahore,” and “Indian Girl at Katas Raj Temple,” which focused on her experiences in Pakistan.
- Instagram: With 133,000–150,000 followers, her posts often emphasize cultural experiences, including Pakistani cuisine and landmarks like Lahore’s Anarkali Bazaar.
- Lifestyle: Malhotra’s videos and posts portray a luxurious lifestyle, including first-class flights, stays in plush hotels, and dining at high-end restaurants, which raised suspicions due to her income sources not aligning with her expenditures.
Arrest and Espionage Allegations
Jyoti Malhotra was arrested on May 16, 2025, in Hisar, Haryana, by the Civil Lines police on charges of spying for Pakistan, as part of a broader investigation into an alleged Pakistan-linked espionage network operating in northern India. She was booked under Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistani intelligence operatives.
Key Details of the Case
- Connections with Pakistani Operatives: Malhotra reportedly came into contact with Ehsan-ur-Rahim (alias Danish), a Pakistani official at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, in 2023 while seeking a visa. Danish, who was expelled from India on May 13, 2025, for espionage, allegedly introduced her to Pakistani intelligence operatives, including Ali Ahwan, Shakir, and Rana Shahbaz (whose contact she saved as “Jatt Randhawa” to avoid suspicion).
- Travel to Pakistan: Malhotra visited Pakistan at least twice in 2023, reportedly on sponsored trips, where she met intelligence operatives. She also traveled to Pakistan in March 2025, posting videos about Hindu pilgrimage sites and cultural experiences, which authorities claim were part of an effort to project a positive image of Pakistan.
- Communication Methods: She allegedly used encrypted platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat to share sensitive information about Indian locations and military movements, particularly during the military tensions following the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people and led to India’s Operation Sindoor.
- Iftar Party Video: A 2024 vlog from an Iftar dinner at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi showed Malhotra interacting warmly with Danish, who introduced her to other officials and his wife. This video, posted on March 30, 2024, highlighted her familiarity with Pakistani officials and her enthusiasm for visiting Pakistan.
- Personal Diary: Police recovered Malhotra’s diary, which contains detailed entries in English and Hindi about her travels and thoughts, potentially revealing her motives and contacts.
- Intimate Relationship: Investigators allege Malhotra had an intimate relationship with a Pakistani intelligence operative, with whom she traveled to Bali, Indonesia.
Investigation and Additional Arrests
- Malhotra is among 12 individuals arrested across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh in two weeks for espionage-related activities. Other accused include Guzala, a 31-year-old from Malerkotla, Punjab, who also met Danish at the Pakistan High Commission, and Nauman Ilahi, a security guard from Haryana.
- The National Investigation Agency (NIA), Intelligence Bureau (IB), and military intelligence are interrogating Malhotra, focusing on her financial transactions, travel history, and digital devices. Her lavish lifestyle, including trips to China and other countries, is under scrutiny, as her known income sources do not justify her expenses.
- Authorities suspect Malhotra was being groomed as an “asset” to promote pro-Pakistan narratives through her social media influence. She allegedly connected with other Indian YouTubers, such as Priyanka Senapati from Puri, Odisha, who is also under investigation.
Public and Family Response
- Father’s Statements: Initially, Haris Malhotra defended his daughter, stating she traveled to Pakistan with necessary permissions for her YouTube content and questioned why she couldn’t contact friends abroad. Later, he claimed he was unaware of her trips, believing she was only traveling to Delhi.
- Public Sentiment on X: Posts on X reflect strong disapproval, labeling Malhotra a “traitor” and expressing anger over her alleged betrayal for financial gain. Some users speculated about a broader network of influencers involved in similar activities.
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Current Status
Malhotra is in five-day police custody as of May 20, 2025, with the Economic Offences Wing leading the investigation. Forensic analysis of her laptop and phone is ongoing, and authorities are reconstructing her travel timeline to identify all contacts and activities. Her case has drawn significant attention due to its timing after the India-Pakistan military conflict and the broader implications of influencers being used in espionage.
Critical Notes
While the allegations are serious, Malhotra has not been formally charged, and investigations are ongoing. Police note she did not have direct access to military secrets but may have shared sensitive location data. The case highlights the potential misuse of social media influence in modern espionage, raising questions about the vulnerabilities of content creators in competitive digital spaces