New Delhi: A political firestorm has erupted in Kerala, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former state president K Surendran levelling serious accusations against the state’s Tourism Department. Surendran alleges that the department, overseen by Minister P A Mohammed Riyas, extended state-sponsored hospitality to YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra during her visit to Kannur. Malhotra has recently been arrested on grave charges of espionage for Pakistan.
BJP leader and former Kerala state president K. Surendran alleged that the Kerala Tourism Department, headed by Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas, had hosted YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra under a state-sponsored program during her visit to Kannur. Malhotra was recently arrested for alleged espionage for Pakistan. Riyas is the son-in-law of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Taking to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Surendran launched a direct challenge to the state government, demanding transparency regarding Malhotra’s controversial trip. “Pak-Spy Jyoti Malhotra’s Kannur trip was sponsored by Kerala Tourism, run by none other than Pinarayi Vijayan’s son-in-law. Who did she meet? Where did she go? What’s the real agenda? Why is Kerala rolling out red carpets for a Pak-linked spy?” Surendran posted on X.
These allegations surface just weeks after Malhotra’s arrest as part of ‘Operation Sindoor’, a coordinated crackdown targeting an alleged ISI-backed spy network spanning Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and other states of the country. Malhotra, who hails from Hisar and operates the “Travel with JO” YouTube channel, now faces severe charges under the Official Secrets Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Investigators claim that Malhotra maintained direct contact with Pakistan’s ISI, allegedly passing sensitive data and engaging in multiple interactions with officials at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi.
Further compounding the gravity of the accusations, she reportedly undertook two trips to Pakistan, with one video circulating online purportedly showing her in Lahore’s bustling Anarkali Bazaar under armed escort. She was remanded to 14-day judicial custody in late May.