YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, a resident of Hisar in Haryana, has been arrested for allegedly sharing sensitive information and maintaining continuous contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives (PIOs), Haryana Police said. Authorities revealed that she was being “developed as an asset” by the PIOs and was in touch with several Pakistani officers during heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.
Hisar Superintendent of Police Shashank Kumar Sawan, addressing the media, stated, “Modern warfare is not only fought on the border. The PIOs are trying to recruit some social media influencers, and they use that to push their narrative. We received inputs from the central agencies, and we arrested Jyoti Malhotra. She had visited Pakistan multiple times and China once. She was in contact with the PIOs. We have taken her on a 5-day police remand. We are analysing her financial details.”
Sawan said Malhotra was in contact with the PIOs during the Indo-Pak conflict but clarified she did not have direct access to critical military or defence-related information, news agency ANI reported. Authorities are trying to seize her laptop and mobile phone and will be conducting a forensic analysis to determine the nature of information exchanged.
“Our cyber and financial experts are on the job. Her travel details are defying her known source of income,” he added. He also warned youngsters not to unknowingly participate in anti-national activities in pursuit of likes and social media popularity.
According to SP Sawan, “They were developing her (Jyoti Malhotra) as an asset. She was in touch with other YouTube influencers, and they were also in touch with the PIOs… She used to go to Pakistan, like on sponsored trips… She was in Pakistan before the Pahalgam attack, and the investigation is on to establish linkages, if there are any. We are also investigating, as we have leads that other people were also involved with her.”
He added that her interrogation has led to further leads, and police are probing her Indian contacts.
Police Probe Links Between Odisha YouTuber and ‘Pak spy’ Jyoti Malhotra
Meanwhile, Odisha Police have launched a parallel investigation into Malhotra’s alleged links with a Puri-based YouTuber. Puri Superintendent of Police Vinit Agrawal told reporters that Malhotra had visited Puri in September 2024, where she came in contact with a local woman, also a YouTuber. “We found that Jyoti Malhotra had visited Puri last year, and we are verifying the fact. Anything more can be shared after the verification,” said Agrawal, as per news agency PTI.
He confirmed that the woman from Puri had recently travelled to Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan for a pilgrimage with another friend. When asked whether she had passed on intelligence to Malhotra, Agrawal responded, “The Haryana Police are investigating the matter and we are providing them the required assistance.”
The police are examining the objective of Malhotra’s visit to Puri, including whom she met and any possible suspicious activities. “We are in touch with various central agencies and the Haryana Police. We will share details with the media after field verification,” said Agrawal.
The Puri YouTuber’s father told reporters that police had questioned his daughter and sought some information. “My daughter came in contact with Jyoti Malhotra as both are YouTubers. As a friendship developed between them, Malhotra visited Puri. As it is a matter of the nation’s security, a proper investigation should be carried out. We will cooperate with the police,” he said.
He clarified that his daughter visited Kartarpur not with Malhotra but with another friend, and had no role in any anti-national activity. “My daughter has no involvement in anti-national activities and was unaware of Malhotra’s alleged espionage,” he said, as per PTI.
In a social media post, the woman from Puri stated, “Jyoti was just a friend of mine, and I came in contact with her through YouTube. I was unaware of anything which she is accused of. I would not have been in touch with her if I knew she was spying for enemy Pakistan.”
She added, “If any investigative agency wishes to cross-question, I would provide full cooperation. Nation is above all. Jai Hind.”
