The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a strong accusation against the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's son-in-law, P.A. Mohammed Riyas, alleging that he facilitated and sponsored the visit of YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra to the state, who is now under arrest on charges of espionage for Pakistan.
K. Surendran, BJP leader and former Kerala state president, voiced these concerns on social media platform X, questioning the purpose and agenda behind Malhotra's Kerala trip. He specifically pointed out that Kerala Tourism, which is overseen by Minister Riyas, hosted Malhotra during her visit to Kannur. Surendran's post raised critical questions about who Malhotra met, where she traveled within the state, and what the true intentions behind her visit were. He also inquired why Kerala was seemingly "rolling out red carpets" for an individual allegedly linked to Pakistani intelligence.
These allegations surfaced in the wake of Malhotra's arrest under Operation Sindoor, a coordinated effort across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh targeting an alleged ISI-backed spy network. She faces serious charges under the Official Secrets Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Investigations have revealed that Malhotra maintained direct contact with Pakistan's ISI, allegedly passed sensitive data, and had multiple interactions at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi. Furthermore, she reportedly made two trips to Pakistan, with video evidence placing her in Lahore's Anarkali Bazaar under armed escort. She was remanded to 14-day judicial custody on May 26, 2025.
According to intelligence sources, Malhotra's Kerala visit occurred approximately three months prior to her arrest. During this time, she allegedly recorded sensitive footage of high-security zones, including strategically important locations such as the Cochin Shipyard. The Special Branch of Kerala Police reportedly discovered that Malhotra visited various tourist destinations, shopping malls, Kochi Metro and Water Metro stations, and captured scenes of sensitive installations like the Cochin Shipyard.
Malhotra, who runs the YouTube travel channel 'Travel with JO' with over 300,000 subscribers, had uploaded several vlogs documenting her experiences in Kerala. These videos showcased tourist spots in Kochi, historic landmarks in Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, and trips to Munnar, Kuthampully weaving village in Thrissur, and tourist destinations in Kannur and Kozhikode.
The BJP's allegations have ignited a political firestorm in Kerala, adding a new layer of complexity to an already sensitive case involving national security and foreign espionage. The Kerala Tourism Department, however, has not yet issued a formal response to the BJP's claims. This silence has further fueled speculation and demands for clarification from the state government.
Critics argue that if the allegations are true, it raises serious questions about the vetting processes and security protocols in place for state-sponsored tourism programs. Concerns have also been raised about whether Kerala is becoming a safe haven for individuals with links to anti-national elements. The investigation into Malhotra's activities and connections is ongoing, with central agencies and the Kerala Police working to uncover the full extent of her operations and the potential involvement of others. The case continues to develop, with potential ramifications for Kerala's political landscape and its approach to national security concerns.
