YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra Arrested for Espionage: Links to Expelled Pakistani Diplomat and Frequent Embassy Visits Under Scrutiny

YouTuber Accused of Espionage Linked to Expelled Pakistani Officer

In a shocking development, travel vlogger Jyoti Malhotra from Hisar, Haryana, has been accused of espionage after her ties to Danish, a Pakistani diplomat expelled from India, came to light. Investigations revealed that her own YouTube videos on the channel Travel with Jo exposed her frequent visits to the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi.

One particular video, uploaded after an Iftar party at the Pakistani Embassy on March 23, 2024—Pakistan’s National Day—raised red flags. In the footage, Danish is seen welcoming Jyoti warmly, sparking concerns over their close relationship. Officials suspect she shared sensitive Indian information with Pakistan through this connection.

Suspicious Travel to Pakistan and China Raised Security Alarms

Jyoti’s foreign travel itinerary raised immediate concerns for Indian intelligence agencies. She visited Pakistan from April 17 to May 15, 2024, and then travelled to China less than a month later, staying there until July 9. Her journey then took her to Nepal’s Kathmandu on July 10.

During her time in Pakistan, Jyoti interviewed Punjab province’s Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, daughter of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The unprecedented access for a regular Indian YouTuber became a major red flag.

Key Intelligence Red Flags in Jyoti Malhotra’s Case

Authorities outlined four primary concerns that led to the surveillance and eventual arrest of Jyoti Malhotra:

1. Unusually Smooth Visa Access: Despite tense diplomatic relations, she acquired visas for both Pakistan and China within a short span.
2. Unexplained Finances: With no regular employment and modest living conditions in Hisar, her ability to fund luxury foreign trips remained unexplained.
3. Unprecedented Embassy Access: Her participation in an elite embassy event and friendly interaction with Danish raised suspicions.
4. Political Proximity: A travel vlogger gaining personal access to Maryam Nawaz Sharif was seen as highly unusual and potentially dangerous.

From Embassy Visits to Espionage: The Timeline of Contacts

According to her statement to law enforcement, Jyoti initially contacted the Pakistani Embassy to apply for a visa. There, she met Danish (Ahsan-ur-Raheem), exchanged phone numbers, and stayed in touch.

• First Visit to Pakistan (2023): She was granted a 10-day visa. Danish arranged her itinerary and accommodations via a contact named Ali Ahwan, who later introduced her to Pakistani intelligence officers Shakir and Rana Shehbaz.
• Covert Communications: She saved one officer’s number under a disguised contact name, “Jatt Randhawa,” to avoid suspicion.
• Information Sharing: Upon returning to India, Jyoti allegedly began sending classified data via encrypted platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat.

VIP Treatment in Pakistan Despite Modest Indian Life

Back in Hisar, Jyoti lived in a small 55-square-yard house with her father, a carpenter, and an uncle who supports the family with his pension. Despite her modest background, she enjoyed VIP treatment in Pakistan—traveling first-class, staying in luxury hotels, and attending high-profile diplomatic gatherings.

Sources confirmed that Jyoti frequently traveled under police protection in Pakistan, a privilege rarely granted to Indian visitors. Her social media featured images of her traveling via Emirates first class, shopping at upscale jewelry stores, and staying at lavish hotels—luxuries far beyond her visible means.

Arrest After Months of Surveillance by Indian Intelligence

Indian intelligence agencies had been monitoring Jyoti’s activities for several months. On May 15, 2025, officials raided her residence, seized mobile phones of all family members, and confiscated her laptop. Though initially released after questioning, she was arrested later that evening.

Jyoti’s father, Harish Malhotra, claimed she insisted she was innocent and being falsely accused. However, after three days of intensive interrogation, authorities took her into custody citing compelling evidence of espionage.

Who Is Jyoti Malhotra? A Profile of the Accused

1. Ordinary Background, Extraordinary Lifestyle: Raised in Hisar’s New Agarsen Colony, Jyoti grew up in a financially challenged household. Her parents divorced two decades ago, and her family survived mostly on her uncle’s pension.
2. Brief Corporate Career: After earning a B.A. from FCJ College in Hisar, she worked in Delhi for ₹20,000 a month.
3. Rise as a Travel Vlogger: With no job prospects, she turned to YouTube and Instagram, quickly gaining attention as a stylish, globe-trotting vlogger.
4. Isolated Lifestyle: Neighbours reported that Jyoti rarely interacted with anyone in the area and often stayed away from home for extended periods.

 A Case That Shakes National Security Protocols

As Indian intelligence probes deeper into her foreign ties and online influence, the case underscores the complex ways espionage can infiltrate everyday lives under the guise of social media stardom.