A recent Right to Information (RTI) revelation has brought the Kerala government under scrutiny after it was discovered that Jyoti Malhotra, a social media influencer arrested on espionage charges, was invited to Kerala as part of a state-sponsored tourism promotion campaign. Malhotra, a Haryana-based vlogger, is accused of leaking sensitive information to Pakistan.
The RTI documents confirm that the Kerala Tourism Department facilitated and funded Malhotra's trip under an official influencer outreach initiative. Her travel, accommodation, food, and filming arrangements were handled by a private agency contracted by the department. Malhotra was among 41 influencers selected to promote Kerala as a global tourist destination.
Malhotra's multi-city tour included visits to Kochi, Kannur, Kozhikode, Alappuzha, Munnar, and Thiruvananthapuram. She arrived in Kerala via Kannur airport, traveling from Delhi to Bengaluru. Her vlogs featured Theyyam performances and scenic locations, shared on her YouTube channel "Travel with Jo" and other social media platforms. She later returned to Delhi by train.
At the time of her visit, there were no suspicions regarding her activities. However, her arrest in May 2025 under the Official Secrets Act has cast a shadow over the episode. Central intelligence agencies are investigating whether her video content served as a cover for intelligence gathering. Investigators are also examining whether she accessed strategically sensitive locations or communicated with Pakistani handlers during her stay. Haryana Police confirmed that Malhotra had visited Pakistan shortly before the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, raising questions about her potential ties to ISI operatives.
Kerala's Tourism Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas responded to the controversy by questioning whether anyone would knowingly invite a spy. He stated that the vloggers were invited to boost Kerala's tourism prospects and that the department's promotion work is being conducted as in the past. He also added that the controversy did not frighten him and that people know the truth and are with them.
The BJP in Kerala has criticized the Tourism Department for associating with anti-national elements. Youth League state secretary P K Firoz stated that the minister was shirking his responsibility by not giving a proper explanation.
The ongoing investigation has sparked a debate on the intersection of tourism promotion and national security. Many are calling for more rigorous vetting procedures for individuals participating in government-sponsored initiatives, especially those involving sensitive travel routes or infrastructure.
Malhotra is currently in jail following her arrest in May on charges of passing sensitive national security information to Pakistan. Central intelligence agencies had been monitoring her due to suspected espionage links. Investigations revealed that Malhotra had traveled to Pakistan multiple times and had established contacts with officials from Pakistani intelligence agencies. She is one of 12 individuals arrested across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh as part of a crackdown on a suspected spy ring.
