Jyoti is alleged to have met Danish multiple times
Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, known online as ‘Travel with JO’, has been arrested on charges of espionage.
Police allege she shared sensitive information with Pakistani intelligence operatives after building ties with an expelled Pakistani official.
Jyoti Malhotra, who runs a travel vlog with over 380,000 YouTube subscribers, was arrested in Hisar.
She is currently in a five-day police remand. The arrest was made under the Official Secrets Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Her videos documenting visits to Pakistan, including titles such as ‘Indian Girl in Pakistan’, ‘Indian Girl Exploring Lahore’, and ‘Indian Girl at Katas Raj Temple’, have come under scrutiny following her arrest.
Police say Jyoti developed a relationship with Pakistani national Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish, during a 2023 visit to Pakistan.
Investigators say she obtained a visa through commission agents and met Danish during the trip. He was later posted to the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi.
Jyoti is alleged to have met Danish multiple times at the High Commission and was introduced by him to Pakistani intelligence operatives (PIOs).
On May 13, the Indian government declared Danish persona non grata and expelled him for espionage.
One video showed Jyoti attending an Iftar dinner at the High Commission, which she called a “special invitation”. In the clip, Danish was seen receiving her and accompanying her to the venue.
She said in the video: “I am feeling so happy to see him and the arrangements.”
At the event, Danish introduced her to guests:
“She is a YouTuber and a vlogger. Her name is Jyoti. Her channel is called Travel with Jo. She has over 100k subscribers.”
The video showed Jyoti praising the arrangements:
“See the arrangement at the embassy this time. It mesmerises me. I’m excited, super duper excited!”
Later, Danish introduced his wife to the YouTuber, where they discussed Pakistan’s National Day. The YouTuber also asked Indian attendees if they had visited Pakistan, adding:
“I also want to go to Pakistan.”
The video concluded with a sign-off alongside Danish, who thanks her for attending.
Police claimed Jyoti Malhotra communicated with Pakistani contacts over WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat.
Authorities allege she shared sensitive information with foreign agents.
Hisar DSP Kamaljeet said:
“We have taken the woman on a five-day remand.”
“She has been booked under the Official Secrets Act and relevant sections of BNS. We found some suspicious things on her mobile and laptop.”
Meanwhile, her father, Haris Malhotra, refuted the espionage claims, saying:
“She used to visit Pakistan and other places to shoot videos for YouTube.
“If she has some friends there, can’t she call them? I have no demands, but give us our phones. A case has been registered against us.
“She used to visit Delhi and had been in Hisar for the last four-five days.
“She went to Pakistan after getting necessary permissions.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
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