YouTuber with 8 Lakh Followers Arrested in Haryana for Alleged Espionage Links to Pakistan’s ISI
Hisar, 17th May 2025: In a shocking development, popular YouTuber and Hisar resident Jyoti Malhotra has been arrested on charges of espionage for allegedly sharing sensitive Indian information with Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI. The arrest, made by the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) of Hisar police, comes amid ongoing investigations into cross-border spy networks.
Malhotra, who lives in New Agrasen Colony on Ghoda Farm Road and runs a travel vlog titled Travel with Jo, was picked up from her residence late Thursday night. She was produced before Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Sunil Kumar on Saturday afternoon and has been sent to five-day police remand.
Contact with ISI Through Pakistan High Commission
According to police, Jyoti had established contact with ISI officials in 2023, following her visit to the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi to apply for a visa. There, she reportedly met Ahsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a Pakistani national associated with the High Commission. The Indian government has already declared Danish persona non grata and ordered his expulsion on May 13 for alleged espionage activities.
During her subsequent trip to Pakistan, Jyoti allegedly met Ali Ahwan, who facilitated her travel and stay, and introduced her to officials from Pakistan’s intelligence and security agencies. Her meetings reportedly included known ISI figures such as Shakir and Rana Shahbaz.
Continued Contact and Use of Alias
Even after returning to India, Malhotra allegedly remained in constant contact with these individuals via phone and internet-based platforms. Investigators revealed she had saved one of the ISI agents’ numbers under the alias Jat Randhawa — an Indian-sounding name to avoid suspicion.
According to police, she shared information digitally with several Pakistani agents over time. Her laptop, mobile phones, bank documents, and passport have been seized, and police claim that “suspicious material” was recovered from her devices.
Repeat Visits and Plans for Another Trip
Jyoti had reportedly planned a third visit to Pakistan and had applied for another visa earlier this month. Her family claimed she was headed to Delhi to collect it. Her first passport was issued in 2023, after which her travels to Pakistan began.
A Social Media Influencer with Wide Reach
Malhotra is known for her travel vlogs and has a massive following across social media:
YouTube: 3.77 lakh followers
Facebook: 3.21 lakh followers
Instagram: 1.33 lakh followers
Her international travel content had gained her significant attention and credibility online. However, police now allege that her trips were a cover for covert communications with enemy agents.
Family Denies Allegations
Jyoti’s father, Harish Kumar Malhotra, has publicly defended her, saying, “My daughter is innocent. The police are framing her. She had gone to Pakistan only for sightseeing. She has no links to any enemy country.”
Official Police Statement
Kamaljit Singh, DSP (Headquarters), Hisar, confirmed the arrest and ongoing investigation:
“The accused was in constant touch with a Pakistani national. Suspicious material has been found on her laptop and mobile phone. She has been taken into five-day remand for further questioning.”
