Police in Haryana, India, have taken Jyoti Malhotra, a prominent YouTuber and travel influencer, into custody on suspicions of being linked to espionage activities with Pakistan. Malhotra, who boasts a following of 377,000 on YouTube, reportedly visited Pakistan multiple times, including her last trip in March 2025. Authorities claim she maintained contact with Ahsan-ur-Rahim, a Pakistani High Commission official expelled from India earlier this month.
Her father has vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that his daughter traveled with all the necessary permissions. Malhotra describes herself on social media as a "modern girl with old ideas" and has shared her experiences visiting various global destinations, including Bangladesh, China, and Indonesia. However, police are questioning the sources of her funding given her extensive travel itineraries.
Superintendent of Police Shashank Kumar Sawan revealed that Malhotra was allegedly in contact with "Pakistani intelligence operatives" and indicated there might be other influencers involved in her activities. The police are also linking her to recent tension in the region, specifically an attack in Pahalgam, though they emphasize she lacks access to classified information.
Her most recent video from Pakistan featured her attending a Ramadan dinner at the Pakistan High Commission, sparking further scrutiny. While arrests for spying are relatively common between India and Pakistan, Malhotra's case unfolds amidst renewed military tensions, heightening the stakes for her and potentially others connected to her activities.
