Haryana travel YouTuber arrested for espionage; Pakistan links under investigation

Police records reveal Malhotra’s two trips to Pakistan in 2023, where she met intelligence operatives including Ali Ehwan, Shakir, and Rana Shahbaz, maintaining regular contact via encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat

A travel vlogger from Hisar, Jyoti Malhotra, was arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistani intelligence, marking the third such arrest in Haryana following the India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement. Authorities say she shared sensitive details related to India’s internal locations and activities with Pakistani operatives, raising serious national security concerns.

Malhotra, who runs the popular YouTube channel, Travel with Jo, was detained under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act. She was placed under five-day police remand after confessing to maintaining contacts with Pakistani intelligence personnel. The Hisar police spokesperson, Vikas Kumar, confirmed her arrest and said investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the espionage network.

The case came to light after an FIR was registered at Hisar Civil Lines police station, following a complaint by sub-inspector Sanjay. The complaint highlighted Malhotra’s visit to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi in 2023, where she allegedly established contact with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish, a Pakistani diplomatic staffer. The Indian government expelled Danish on May 13, declaring him persona non grata for engaging in activities inconsistent with his diplomatic status.

Part of a wider espionage network in Haryana and Punjab

According to police records, Malhotra travelled to Pakistan twice in 2023. During these visits, she met with Pakistani intelligence operatives, including Ali Ehwan, who facilitated her stay and travel, as well as others named Shakir and Rana Shahbaz. She reportedly communicated regularly with these operatives via encrypted messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat. To avoid detection, Malhotra saved one contact under the alias “Jatt Randhawa.”

Investigators allege that Malhotra was not only gathering sensitive information but was also involved in efforts to portray Pakistan positively on social media. She reportedly entered a personal relationship with one of the operatives and even traveled with him to Bali, Indonesia.

Security officials believe Malhotra is part of a wider espionage network spanning Haryana and Punjab, involving agents, informants, and financial intermediaries. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini assured that law enforcement agencies are working diligently and that strict action would be taken against those involved in compromising India’s security.

In a related development, a 23-year-old man named Arman was arrested in Nuh on May 17 for allegedly supplying SIM cards to Pakistani operatives, and he is currently under a six-day police remand.