The arrest of travel YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who lives in Hisar, Haryana, has created a stir in the world of social media. This creator of the ‘Travel with JO’ channel, which takes millions of viewers to travel abroad, is now on the radar of intelligence agencies. It is alleged that she was in touch with Pakistan’s intelligence agency and was involved in anti-national activities under the guise of social media.
Trips to Pakistan, China and questionable connections
According to Hisar Superintendent of Police Shashank Kumar Sawan, Malhotra had traveled to Pakistan several times over the years – one of which was just before the terror attack that took place in Pahalgam. Apart from this, she had also gone to China. Officials say his known sources of income do not justify his foreign tours, raising suspicions of external funding.
Recruitment of social media influencers
SP Sawan told a press conference that central agencies had informed the Haryana Police that Pakistani agencies were preparing to spread a “soft narrative” of Indian social media influencers. Due to these suspicious activities, Malhotra was arrested on May 16 and sent to police custody for five days.
High-profile meetings and diplomatic connections
According to the FIR, Malhotra met Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish during the visa process at the Pakistan High Commission in 2023, which later became a conduit for introducing him to Pakistani security officials Shakir and Rana Shahbaz. The investigation revealed that he had saved Shakir’s name in his phone as ‘Jatt Randhawa’, so that there would be no suspicion.
Encrypted chats and networks in India
Malhotra’s conversations were running on encrypted apps like Telegram, WhatsApp and Snapchat. The report also claimed that she was part of a large espionage network spread across Haryana and Punjab, including agents, informers and people associated with funding.
Links related to Orissa, Punjab and other states
Odisha Police has also joined the investigation of the case, as in September 2024, Malhotra went to Puri and met a woman who had recently returned from Kartarpur Sahib. Two more people associated with Malhotra have been arrested in Punjab as well.
The family denies it, but the investigation goes deep
While Malhotra’s family is vehemently rejecting these allegations and calling it a conspiracy to defame the family, the police and intelligence agencies are considering it as a serious matter related to national security. Haryana DGP Shatrujit Kapur has confirmed the identity of people involved in anti-national activities in many districts under ‘Operation Sindoor’.
Source: m.punjabkesari.in