Jyoti Malhotra, an Indian YouTuber who runs the travel channel "Travel with Jo," has been arrested by Haryana police for allegedly spying for Pakistan. The 33-year-old, also known as Jyoti Rani, is accused of sharing sensitive information with Pakistani intelligence operatives. The arrest occurred in Hisar, Haryana.

Malhotra is among six individuals from Haryana and Punjab who have been apprehended in connection with an alleged espionage network. These individuals are suspected of acting as agents, financial conduits, and informants for Pakistani intelligence agencies.

According to authorities, Malhotra came into contact with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a staff member at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, during a visit in 2023. Danish, who has since been expelled from India and declared persona non grata on May 13, 2025, allegedly introduced Malhotra to several Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs).

Malhotra allegedly maintained regular communication with these operatives through encrypted platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat. She is accused of sharing sensitive information about Indian locations and of working to project a positive image of Pakistan on social media. Police officials stated that she had traveled to Pakistan twice in 2023. During these visits, she met individuals named Ali Ahwan, Shakir, and Rana Shahbaz. To avoid suspicion, Malhotra allegedly saved Shakir's contact information under the alias "Jatt Randhawa". Investigators also found that Malhotra allegedly entered into an intimate relationship with a PIO and even traveled with him to Bali, Indonesia.

Malhotra has been booked under Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These sections pertain to acts that endanger the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India. A written confession has been obtained from her, and the case has been transferred to the Economic Offences Wing in Hisar for further investigation.

Malhotra's YouTube channel, "Travel with Jo," has over 377,000 subscribers, and her Instagram account has over 132,000 followers. Authorities believe that her large online presence was exploited by her Pakistani contacts to influence public perception and disseminate pro-Pakistan narratives.

The arrest of Jyoti Malhotra has sparked controversy and drawn attention to other social media influencers who have traveled to Pakistan. Navankur Chaudhary, a doctor-turned-travel vlogger known as "Yatri Doctor," has denied any involvement in espionage activities after being linked to the case on social media. Chaudhary stated that he is ready to cooperate with any investigation.