Haryana, May 17: Haryana-based YouTuber & Travel Vlogger Jyoti Malhotra was arrested on Saturday for allegedly spying for Pakistan, Police sources said.
Malhotra was reportedly linking India’s security-related information to a number of Pakistani handlers. It was revealed from her phone memory and detailed call records, the sleuths said.
On WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat, Jyoti remained in touch with operatives, including Shakir alias Rana Shahbaz, whose number she symbolically saved as “Jatt Randhawa.”
She allegedly shared sensitive information concerning Indian locations and was deliberately projecting a positive image of Pakistan on her contents.
Investigations also revealed that Jyoti also entered into an intimate relationship with a PIO and even travelled to Bali, Indonesia with him.
Jyoti has been charged under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923. At the same time, the Economic Offences Wing, Hisar is investigating into the financial deals made with the Pakistani operatives.
The investigation also revealed that Jyoti visited Pakistan in 2023 after acquiring a visa through commission agents. During her trip, she developed close ties with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a staff member at the Pakistan High Commission placed in New Delhi who was expelled fron India on May 13 on espionage charges.
According to the investigation agency, Jyoti was introduced with the PIOs by Danish.
Apart from Jyoti, five others were arrested for allegedly passing sensitive information to Pakistani operatives.The network spanned across Haryana and Punjab, with key operatives acting as agents, financial conduits, and informers.
Another key accused is Guzala, a 32-year-old widow from Malerkotla, Punjab, was arrested on the same charges.
Guzala had received Rs 10,000 on March 7 via the payment app, PhonePe, and Rs 20,000 on March 23 via another payment app, Google Pay from Danish. She had shared money to other operatives in India, in lakhs, revealed the investigation.
Others arrested in the case include Yameen Mohd from Malerkotla, who collaborated with the Danish in financial dealings and visa-related activities; Devinder Singh Dhillon from Kaithal, Haryana, a Sikh student who was recruited during a pilgrimage to Pakistan and sent videos of Patiala cantonment; and Arman from Nuh, Haryana, who supplied Indian SIM cards, transferred funds, and visited the Defence Expo 2025 on instructions from Pakistan Intelligence Operatives.
Further investigation into the chain of espionage is underway. However, a long network of it spreads across Haryana, Punjan and J&K, hinted the sleuths.
