The father of YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who was arrested on suspicion of spying for Pakistan, has seemingly retracted his earlier statements defending her trips to the neighboring country. Initially, Harish Malhotra asserted that his daughter had the necessary permissions for her YouTube-related travels and questioned why she couldn't contact friends across the border. However, he now claims he was unaware of her visits to Pakistan, stating she only mentioned going to Delhi.
Jyoti Malhotra, a travel influencer with a significant online presence, was arrested under the Official Secrets Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police allege they recovered "suspicious" material from her electronic devices and suspect she has ties to Pakistani intelligence. She is currently in police custody for further investigation.
According to authorities, Jyoti visited the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi in 2023 to apply for a visa, where she allegedly met Ahsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish, a staffer at the mission. Investigators claim she remained in contact with him, traveled to Pakistan twice, and met individuals associated with Pakistani security and intelligence services. Danish was later expelled by India for activities "not in keeping with his official status."
The police investigation has revealed that Jyoti allegedly maintained regular contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives and shared sensitive information through platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat. She is accused of saving their contact numbers under fake names to avoid detection. Additionally, her financial transactions and travel history are under scrutiny to determine the sources of her income. Police are also investigating any links she may have to the recent Pahalgam terror attack, with Superintendent of Police Shashank Kumar Sawan stating that Pakistani intelligence operatives were grooming her to be an asset.
Jyoti's YouTube channel, "Travel with JO," features videos of her trips to Pakistan, including visits to Hindu and Sikh temples, local markets, and interactions with locals. One particular video, uploaded after the Pahalgam terror attack, is under close examination as it allegedly blames Indian security agencies for the incident, potentially serving as evidence of disinformation.
The case has sparked concern about the potential for social media influencers to be used for espionage purposes. Police suspect that Jyoti was not working alone and was in contact with other social media influencers who may also have links to Pakistani intelligence operatives. The investigation has expanded to include other individuals and explore the possibility of a broader network involved in sharing sensitive information and promoting pro-Pakistan narratives.
Authorities have confiscated the family's phones, laptop, bank statements, and passports as part of the investigation. While the father initially defended his daughter and requested the return of their belongings, his recent statement indicates a shift in his stance, claiming he was unaware of her Pakistan trips and thought she was only visiting Delhi. He has stated that if there is solid proof against his daughter, then she should be punished.
The arrest of Jyoti Malhotra is part of a larger operation that has led to the arrest of at least 12 people across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh for allegedly being involved in Pakistan's spy operations. These individuals, including a factory worker, a post-graduate student, and others, are suspected of passing sensitive information to Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs).
