Indian YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra Accused of Spying for Pakistan
Indian YouTuber Arrested on Spying Allegations
Jyoti Malhotra, a popular Indian YouTuber known for her travel content, has been arrested by police in Haryana on suspicion of spying for Pakistan.
Travel Influencer’s Arrest Raises Questions
Malhotra, who boasts 377,000 subscribers on YouTube and 133,000 followers on Instagram, was arrested after authorities questioned her frequent trips to Pakistan and her alleged contact with a Pakistani High Commission official who was recently expelled from India.
Allegations and Denials
Police allege that Malhotra was in touch with Pakistani intelligence operatives and a Pakistani citizen. They also claim she was financed her travels in ways that didn’t align with her publicly known income. Her father has denied these allegations, stating that she obtained the necessary permissions before visiting Pakistan.
Pakistan High Commission Official Expelled
The arrest comes after India expelled Ahsan-ur-Rahim, a Pakistani High Commission official, earlier this month. India accused him of engaging in activities that were inappropriate for his position. Pakistan responded by expelling an Indian embassy staff member in Islamabad for similar reasons.
Pahalgam Attack Investigation
Police in Haryana are also investigating Malhotra’s potential links to the Pahalgam attack, a deadly militant assault on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Spying Allegations and Military Tensions
Arrests related to spying allegations are not uncommon in India and Pakistan. Malhotra’s arrest follows a period of heightened military tensions between the two countries.
In May, India conducted airstrikes on what it called “terror infrastructure” in Pakistan following a deadly militant attack. Pakistan denied involvement in the attack. A ceasefire was eventually agreed upon, mediated by US President Donald Trump.
The situation remains tense as India and Pakistan continue to grapple with the issue of terrorism and cross-border security.
