Jyoti Malhotra espionage case: ‘I have no regrets,’ YouTuber tells police; leaked blackout details to Pak ISI agents during Op Sindoor, In a startling revelation that has stunned both the digital influencer community and national security agencies, Jyoti Rani Malhotra, a 33-year-old travel vlogger from Hisar, Haryana, was arrested on May 16, 2025, by Indian intelligence authorities for allegedly engaging in espionage activities in connection with Pakistani intelligence operatives.
Malhotra, who ran the popular YouTube channel Travel with Jo with more than 377,000 subscribers and over 132,000 Instagram followers, was widely known for her solo travel vlogs across India and abroad. However, her globe-trotting career took a dark turn following revelations of her alleged involvement in passing confidential information related to India’s defense and strategic interests.
Alleged Links with Pakistani Intelligence
According to high-level intelligence sources, Malhotra was in contact with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, a Pakistani High Commission official based in Delhi who was expelled by Indian authorities earlier in May 2025 on grounds of espionage. It is alleged that Ehsan was Malhotra’s handler and coordinated the transfer of sensitive information from her to Pakistani agencies.
Investigators revealed that Malhotra had used secure communication platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat to relay military-related data and strategic insights. Authorities also seized her personal diary, which reportedly contained pro-Pakistan sentiments and references that hinted at ideological sympathies with the neighboring country.
Suspicious Travel History and Activities Abroad
The vlogger’s international movements also raised red flags. Between 2023 and 2025, Malhotra made several visits to Pakistan, during which she was allegedly hosted by Pakistani intelligence operatives. Officials believe that these trips were more than casual tourism and were, in fact, part of a deeper covert operation. Her travel history also includes visits to China and Indonesia, countries with which she reportedly maintained contact via encrypted platforms.
Legal Action Under National Security Laws
Following her arrest, Jyoti Rani Malhotra was formally charged under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, as well as Section 152 of the Indian Penal Code. These charges pertain to leaking sensitive government information and engaging in activities that undermine the sovereignty and integrity of India. She is currently in police custody and will appear before a special court on May 22, 2025.
Her arrest has opened up a broader investigation into possible digital influence operations run by foreign intelligence agencies via social media personalities and YouTubers in India.
Reactions from the Public and Influencer Community
The news has sent shockwaves across the influencer landscape in India. Once celebrated for her adventurous solo travels and empowerment messaging, Malhotra’s arrest has led many former fans and fellow influencers to distance themselves. Several travel content creators have called for a formal code of ethics for influencer travel to conflict-prone or geopolitically sensitive regions.
Many on social media are now debating how digital platforms might be manipulated by foreign intelligence services and whether national security agencies need greater oversight over influencers traveling internationally.
Comparisons are being drawn to the case of Indian diplomat Madhuri Gupta, who was convicted of spying for Pakistan in 2010. However, experts suggest that this new development marks the first high-profile case involving a digital content creator allegedly working with enemy intelligence.
Conclusion
The arrest of Jyoti Rani Malhotra is a sobering reminder that even seemingly benign digital content creators may be exploited as assets by foreign agencies. As authorities dig deeper into her connections and travel history, India’s cybersecurity and counterintelligence units are now expected to heighten surveillance of digital influencers with access to strategic locations or international travel privileges.
This case may redefine how national security agencies view social media influence in the age of hybrid warfare and digital espionage.
