New Delhi: YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra has been arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan. As her arrest has rocked the nation, police on Sunday explained how social media influencers like Jyoti are being recruited for espionage. There are also indications that she was not acting alone and is believed to have been in contact with other social media influencers, some of whom may also have ties to Pakistani intelligence operatives (PIOs).
Hisar Superintendent of Police (SP) Shashank Kumar Sawan told media persons that Pakistani intelligence operatives are pushing Indian social media influencers to promote their narrative.
Sawan pointed out that modern warfare was not limited to being 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,” Sawan said.
During the recent conflict between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor, Sawan disclosed that Jyoti Malhotra was allegedly in contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives. “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… We are investigating, as we have leads that other people were also involved with her,” the cop added.
“We are analysing her financial details. Her travel details are defying her total income,” he said. “They were developing her (Jyoti Malhotra) as an asset. 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,” the SP revealed.
Jyoti Malhotra runs the YouTube channel Travel with JO with 3.77 lakh subscribers and has 1.33 lakh Instagram followers. Jyoti, who is currently on five-day police remand, was arrested by Haryana Police after it received inputs from central agencies.
Investigation into Jyoti Malhotra’s activities have led cops to Odisha, where another YouTuber from Puri has come under police lens. Jyoti had visited Puri in September 2024. “We are examining why she visited Puri, where she stayed, whom she contacted, and any possible suspicious activities,” said Puri SP Vinit Agrawal.
The Puri YouTuber’s father has claimed that the two were friends. “My daughter came in contact with Jyoti Malhotra as both are YouTubers… As it is a matter of the nation’s security, a proper investigation should be carried out. We will cooperate with the police,” he underlined.
Jyoti Malhotra’s financial dealings and digital activity are now being probed by police to find out other individuals who could be linked to the case.
