Haryana-Based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra Among 7 Arrested for Spying for Pakistan
Ankit Gupta | May 17, 2025, 22:44 IST
Jyoti Malhotra, also known as Jyoti Rani, is a 33-year-old travel vlogger who operated the YouTube channel 'Travel with Jo', amassing over 377,000 subscribers. She was arrested on May 17, 2025, by the Civil Lines police in Hisar, Haryana, for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistani intelligence operatives. Authorities have charged her under the Official Secrets Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, citing her sustained engagement with Pakistan's intelligence services as a breach of national security protocols.
In a disturbing development that underscores the evolving nature of cross-border hostilities, Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, popularly known as “Travel with Jo,” was arrested on May 17 for allegedly spying for Pakistan. As India mourned the recent victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, Malhotra's silence was deafening — and now, chillingly self-explanatory.
With over 377,000 subscribers and a reputation for travel vlogs, Malhotra projected the image of a free-spirited digital creator. But behind the camera, according to intelligence agencies, was an individual actively engaged in sharing sensitive information with Pakistan’s intelligence operatives.
Sources confirm that Malhotra visited Pakistan twice in 2023 and attended high-profile events, including an iftar at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, where she interacted with officials now under suspicion. Investigators have recovered communications on encrypted platforms such as Telegram and Snapchat, raising concerns about how India’s digital space is being exploited for espionage.
“She had access, a fan base, and freedom of movement. That’s all an intelligence agency needs,” said a senior official involved in the probe.
On May 17, 2025, Jyoti Malhotra was arrested in Hisar, Haryana — not for a traffic violation or some technicality, but for espionage. For spying for none other than Pakistan — a country that continues to bleed India through terrorism, proxy wars, and now, as this case proves, digital infiltration.
While she travelled to Pakistan not once but twice in 2023, and rubbed shoulders with Pakistan High Commission officials, India buried its sons in tricolour. While our forces stood guard on the LOC and LAC, she exchanged messages with handlers via Telegram and Snapchat, selling secrets for selfies.
This isn't just espionage. It's treason draped in lipstick. It's warfare masked as vlogging.
To those still clinging to peace-talk fantasies: wake up. The war never ended. It merely went underground. Pakistan knows it cannot win on the battlefield, so it weaponized social media, data, and influence. They no longer just train militants in PoK — they now recruit content creators in Gurgaon.
The Jyoti Malhotra case is a reminder that not all battles are fought on the field — some are fought in the comments section, through manipulated content, and covert deals behind clickbait thumbnails.
Social media influencers are now part of the national security grid, whether they realize it or not. As digital platforms shape perceptions and policies alike, the onus is on both government and society to scrutinize the intent behind influence.
The ceasefire at the border is a lie. Terrorism continues, Kashmir still bleeds, and Pahalgam proved that Pakistan hasn’t changed. They simply changed tactics. From bullets to bytes, from infiltration to influence.
And Jyoti Malhotra is just the tip of the iceberg.
This case has once again put the spotlight on the illusion of peace at the border. While India maintains diplomatic protocols and upholds ceasefire agreements, Pakistan has continually shifted the battlefield, from the LOC to laptops, from gunfights to gigabytes.
According to intelligence sources, Jyoti Malhotra is not an isolated case. At least five more individuals across Punjab and Haryana have been arrested over the last two weeks for espionage-related activities allegedly connected to Pakistani handlers.
“Pakistan’s tactics have evolved. The war hasn't ended — it’s just gone underground,” noted a former RAW operative. “Today’s infiltration doesn’t need tunnels or drones. It happens through influencers, apps, and algorithms.”
Let us not forget: PoK is India. Gilgit-Baltistan is India. Aksai Chin is India. These are not diplomatic slogans — these are non-negotiable truths. Any ceasefire, any compromise, any handshake that does not bring back every inch of stolen Bharat is a betrayal of every martyr who died defending it.
Our enemies now wear suits in Islamabad, and hashtags on YouTube. They come with collabs and cameras, not just AK-47s. But make no mistake — they are still enemies. And if we ever forget that, Pahalgam will remind us. Pulwama will remind us. Kargil will remind us.
Veterans and strategic experts are warning that India must not be lulled into complacency by formal ceasefires or soft diplomacy, especially when cross-border enemies continue to undermine the nation from within.
“As long as even an inch of our land remains occupied — be it by Pakistan or China — the war is not over. It cannot be over,” said Lt. Gen. (Retd.) S.K. Dhawan.
As India reels from another terror attack and another betrayal, one truth emerges unshaken: the war for India’s sovereignty and safety is not over — it has simply entered a new phase.
Jyoti Malhotra may have filmed scenic landscapes, but her actions, as alleged, handed over strategic ones.
And for that, the nation must not forget — nor forgive.
With over 377,000 subscribers and a reputation for travel vlogs, Malhotra projected the image of a free-spirited digital creator. But behind the camera, according to intelligence agencies, was an individual actively engaged in sharing sensitive information with Pakistan’s intelligence operatives.
Sources confirm that Malhotra visited Pakistan twice in 2023 and attended high-profile events, including an iftar at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, where she interacted with officials now under suspicion. Investigators have recovered communications on encrypted platforms such as Telegram and Snapchat, raising concerns about how India’s digital space is being exploited for espionage.
“She had access, a fan base, and freedom of movement. That’s all an intelligence agency needs,” said a senior official involved in the probe.
Betrayal in Broad Daylight
Malhotra met Pakistan High Commission official Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish
On May 17, 2025, Jyoti Malhotra was arrested in Hisar, Haryana — not for a traffic violation or some technicality, but for espionage. For spying for none other than Pakistan — a country that continues to bleed India through terrorism, proxy wars, and now, as this case proves, digital infiltration.
While she travelled to Pakistan not once but twice in 2023, and rubbed shoulders with Pakistan High Commission officials, India buried its sons in tricolour. While our forces stood guard on the LOC and LAC, she exchanged messages with handlers via Telegram and Snapchat, selling secrets for selfies.
This isn't just espionage. It's treason draped in lipstick. It's warfare masked as vlogging.
The Underground War
Jyoti Malhotra, a travel blogger and other key accused
To those still clinging to peace-talk fantasies: wake up. The war never ended. It merely went underground. Pakistan knows it cannot win on the battlefield, so it weaponized social media, data, and influence. They no longer just train militants in PoK — they now recruit content creators in Gurgaon.
The Jyoti Malhotra case is a reminder that not all battles are fought on the field — some are fought in the comments section, through manipulated content, and covert deals behind clickbait thumbnails.
Social media influencers are now part of the national security grid, whether they realize it or not. As digital platforms shape perceptions and policies alike, the onus is on both government and society to scrutinize the intent behind influence.
The ceasefire at the border is a lie. Terrorism continues, Kashmir still bleeds, and Pahalgam proved that Pakistan hasn’t changed. They simply changed tactics. From bullets to bytes, from infiltration to influence.
And Jyoti Malhotra is just the tip of the iceberg.
The Ceasefire Illusion
Silence Before the Storm
This case has once again put the spotlight on the illusion of peace at the border. While India maintains diplomatic protocols and upholds ceasefire agreements, Pakistan has continually shifted the battlefield, from the LOC to laptops, from gunfights to gigabytes.
According to intelligence sources, Jyoti Malhotra is not an isolated case. At least five more individuals across Punjab and Haryana have been arrested over the last two weeks for espionage-related activities allegedly connected to Pakistani handlers.
“Pakistan’s tactics have evolved. The war hasn't ended — it’s just gone underground,” noted a former RAW operative. “Today’s infiltration doesn’t need tunnels or drones. It happens through influencers, apps, and algorithms.”
Pok, LAC, and the True Mandate of Justice
Poisonous Neighbours
Let us not forget: PoK is India. Gilgit-Baltistan is India. Aksai Chin is India. These are not diplomatic slogans — these are non-negotiable truths. Any ceasefire, any compromise, any handshake that does not bring back every inch of stolen Bharat is a betrayal of every martyr who died defending it.
Our enemies now wear suits in Islamabad, and hashtags on YouTube. They come with collabs and cameras, not just AK-47s. But make no mistake — they are still enemies. And if we ever forget that, Pahalgam will remind us. Pulwama will remind us. Kargil will remind us.
Veterans and strategic experts are warning that India must not be lulled into complacency by formal ceasefires or soft diplomacy, especially when cross-border enemies continue to undermine the nation from within.
“As long as even an inch of our land remains occupied — be it by Pakistan or China — the war is not over. It cannot be over,” said Lt. Gen. (Retd.) S.K. Dhawan.
Betrayal Has a New Face
Jyoti Malhotra may have filmed scenic landscapes, but her actions, as alleged, handed over strategic ones.
And for that, the nation must not forget — nor forgive.