Travel Blogger Jyoti Rani Arrested Under Official Secrets Act
Haryana YouTuber Arrested for Alleged Spying on Pakistan
A travel blogger from Haryana, Jyoti Rani, was arrested on May 16 for allegedly spying for Pakistani intelligence agencies during Operation Sindoor. The 33-year-old, who runs a popular YouTube channel called ‘Travel with Jo’ with over 377,000 subscribers and boasts 132,000 followers on Instagram, is accused of sharing ‘sensitive information’ with an official at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi. She was reportedly tasked by her alleged Pakistani handlers to portray Pakistan in a positive light.
What Are the Charges Against Jyoti Rani?
Jyoti Rani has been booked under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and a section of the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The Official Secrets Act Explained
The Official Secrets Act, a relic of British colonial rule, was originally designed to silence opposition to British policies. It has been amended several times, becoming more stringent over the years.
Section 3: Penalties for Spying
This section deals with espionage and prohibits activities that could harm the safety or interests of the state. Jyoti Rani is alleged to have violated this section by approaching, inspecting, or entering prohibited places, creating sketches or plans that could be useful to enemies, or obtaining and sharing secret official information. The punishment for this offense can be up to 14 years in prison if related to defense, military, or air force affairs, or three years in other cases.
Section 5: Wrongful Communication of Information
This section addresses the disclosure of secret codes, plans, or information to enemies of the state or unauthorized individuals. Even careless handling that leads to disclosure can result in prosecution. Both the person sharing and the person receiving the information can be held accountable. The punishment for this offense is up to three years in prison, a fine, or both.
Section 152 of the BNS
This section deals with activities that endanger the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India. It punishes anyone who incites secession, armed rebellion, or subversive activities or encourages separatism. The punishment can be life imprisonment or up to seven years. However, the BNS clarifies that expressing disapproval of government policies through lawful means does not constitute an offense under this section.
