YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra: Espionage, But No Terror Ties Found
YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra in Contact with Pakistani Intelligence, No Terror Links Found – Police
Jyoti Malhotra, a popular Hisar-based YouTuber and travel blogger, has been arrested on charges of espionage. While police confirmed that Malhotra was knowingly in contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives (PIOs), they also stated that there is no evidence linking her to any terrorist activity or associations with known terrorist groups.
No Evidence of Terror Links
Hisar Superintendent of Police clarified that Malhotra did not appear to have any knowledge about the armed forces or their plans. Despite knowing that some of her contacts were Pakistani intelligence operatives, she continued to communicate with them.
The SP emphasized, “So far, we have not found any evidence of her involvement in any terror activity or her alignment with any terrorist group. We have not found any document which depicts that she wants to marry any PIOs or wants to change religion.”
Investigation Underway
Malhotra’s arrest came after she was accused of leaking sensitive information to Pakistani intelligence officials. Police have seized her three mobile phones, a laptop, and electronic gadgets, as well as two mobile phones belonging to Harkirat Singh, a visa agent also arrested in connection with the case. These devices have been sent to a laboratory for analysis.
The SP stated that the analysis work was not assigned to Hisar police. He added that Malhotra was taken on a five-day police remand during which central agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB), also questioned her, but her custody was not transferred to any other agency.
The SP also addressed the circulating “diary” pages, stating that they were not recovered by the police and they do not have any diary in their possession.
Case Background
Malhotra was arrested on May 16 and booked under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act. Earlier, police had revealed that Malhotra was in touch with Danish, a Pakistani High Commission official expelled from India on May 13, from November 2023 to March 2025. Danish, they said, was attempting to cultivate Malhotra as an asset and she was also in contact with other YouTube influencers.
It is reported that Singh, the visa agent, introduced Malhotra to Danish at the Pakistan High Commission when she applied for a visa to Pakistan.
