Who Is Jyoti Malhotra? Details of the Jyoti Malhotra Spy case Explained

Jyoti Malhotra is a travel YouTuber from Hisar who runs the popular channel "Travel with Jo," which has over 377,000 subscribers. She gained attention for her travel videos but is now at the center of a serious criminal case. Jyoti was arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan. Authorities say she passed sensitive Indian information to Pakistani intelligence agents and used her social media presence to influence public opinion about Pakistan.

Police say Jyoti visited Pakistan twice in 2023, where she met Pakistani operatives and stayed in regular contact with them through encrypted messaging apps. Her arrest is part of a larger investigation into a spy network operating in Haryana and Punjab. The case has raised questions about how travel influencers can be exploited for espionage and how digital communication tools aid such activities.

Who is Jyoti Malhotra?

Jyoti Malhotra is a travel content creator from Hisar, Haryana. She gained popularity on YouTube through her channel “Travel with Jo.” The channel features videos of her visits to various places, attracting over 377,000 subscribers. Before her arrest, Jyoti was known as a friendly and adventurous travel blogger.

Police say she acquired a Pakistani visa through commission agents and traveled there twice in 2023. During her visits, she connected with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish, an official at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. Danish reportedly acted as her handler, introducing her to other Pakistani intelligence operatives.

What is the whole matter?

Jyoti was arrested under the Official Secrets Act and other legal provisions for spying. Authorities accuse her of passing sensitive Indian information to Pakistani intelligence agencies. They say she maintained regular communication with these operatives using encrypted apps. Police uncovered evidence that she met multiple Pakistani agents and even traveled with one of them to Bali, Indonesia.

She allegedly saved contacts under disguised names such as “Jatt Randhawa” to avoid suspicion. Besides sharing information, Jyoti is accused of promoting a positive image of Pakistan on her YouTube channel, which gave her Pakistani contacts significant influence over her followers.

Jyoti’s case is part of a broader investigation into an espionage network operating in northern India. So far, six people from Haryana and Punjab, including Jyoti, have been arrested. They are accused of spying, passing information, and providing financial and logistical support to Pakistani handlers.

How did the police get to know?

The Hisar police began investigating after uncovering suspicious contacts between Jyoti and Pakistani officials. An FIR registered by sub-inspector Sanjay revealed her link to Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a staffer at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. Danish was declared persona non grata by the Indian government and expelled in May 2025.

The investigation showed that Jyoti communicated frequently with Pakistani operatives, including Shakir alias Rana Shahbaz. She used encrypted platforms to avoid detection. Police also found that she developed close relationships with these operatives, even traveling abroad with one.

Officials uncovered a larger spy network that included people involved in visa facilitation, money transfers, and intelligence gathering. Among those arrested are Guzala and Yameen Mohd from Punjab, and Devinder Singh Dhillon and Arman from Haryana. The network reportedly recruited vulnerable individuals by manipulating emotions, offering money, and promising marriage.

Why this case matters

This arrest comes amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan after a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir. India blames Pakistan-backed groups for the attack, which killed 26 people. The spy network, including Jyoti, is seen as part of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to gather intelligence and influence public opinion in India.

Jyoti Malhotra’s case raises questions about how social media influencers can be exploited for espionage. It also highlights the risks of using digital communication tools to hide illegal activities. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to uncover the full extent of the spy network.

Support us to keep independent environmental journalism alive in India.

Keep Reading

Madhya Pradesh sees 66 forest fires daily; AI tracks, action still lags 

Indore’s Ramsar site Sirpur has an STP constructed almost on the lake 

Indore Reviving Historic Lakes to Combat Water Crisis, Hurdles Remain

Indore’s residential society saves Rs 5 lakh a month, through rainwater harvesting

Follow Ground Report on X, Instagram and Facebook for environmental and underreported stories from the margins. Give us feedback on our email id [email protected]. 

Don't forget to Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, Join our community on WhatsApp, and Follow our YouTube Channel for video stories.