YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, currently facing serious espionage charges, met with her father, Harish Malhotra, in Hisar's Central Jail No. 2 on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, marking the first day of her judicial custody. The meeting took place after she was presented in court on Monday, following the completion of a nine-day police remand.
During the emotional encounter, Jyoti vehemently asserted her innocence to her father, stating that she had been wrongly implicated. While details of their conversation remain private, Harish Malhotra, while speaking to the media, conveyed his confidence in his daughter's eventual release. He expressed that Jyoti urged him to take care of his health, including taking medicines and meals on time, and to look after her uncle.
Jyoti's legal representation is currently being provided by lawyers empanelled with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA). Although her father is eager to engage a private lawyer, Jyoti has insisted on utilizing the services of the DLSA for her defense.
The 33-year-old YouTuber, who runs the channel 'Travel with JO,' was arrested on May 16, 2025, and has been booked under several sections of the law. These include Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertains to acts endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India, as well as Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, related to penalties for spying and wrongful communication of information.
Investigations into Malhotra's activities are ongoing. Police reports indicate that she was in contact with Pakistani officer Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish and possibly other Pakistani intelligence operatives. A forensic examination of her electronic devices reportedly revealed 12 TB of data, including chat records, call logs, and financial transactions, allegedly connecting her to four Pakistani operatives. Authorities are scrutinizing this data for further leads. It has also been revealed that Malhotra was possibly aware that she was interacting with officials from Pakistan's spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
During the nine-day remand, Superintendent of Police Shashank Kumar Sawan stated that there was no evidence to suggest that Jyoti had accessed sensitive military, defense, or strategic information, nor was she involved in any terrorist activity or linked to any terrorist organization. However, he confirmed that Malhotra was in contact with individuals identified as Pakistani intelligence operatives and was aware of their positions.
Adding to the intrigue, new details have emerged regarding Malhotra's visits to Pakistan. Visuals have surfaced of her accompanied by six armed gunmen during a visit to Anarkali bazaar in Lahore, raising questions about the level of support and protection she received during her time there.
The case has garnered national attention, with security agencies, including the National Investigation Agency and Military Intelligence, involved in the investigation. Police from multiple states, including Jammu & Kashmir and Rajasthan, have also visited Hisar to question her.
As the investigation progresses, authorities are analyzing her financial transactions and travel details, and awaiting the forensic analysis report of her electronic devices. The case remains a focal point as it navigates the complexities of espionage allegations and international relations.
