Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra’s journey from posting fashion tips to being arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan’s ISI reveals a web of espionage, cross-border contacts, and deepening investigations by Indian intelligence agencies.
YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra Arrested for Alleged Espionage for ISI
Jyoti Malhotra, a popular YouTuber from Hisar, Haryana, who once shared budget fashion and travel vlogs, is now at the centre of a national security investigation. Arrested for allegedly passing sensitive information to Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI, her case has revealed shocking details about espionage operations, financial links to Dubai, and potential connections to a recent terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam region.
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Who Is Jyoti Malhotra? A Social Media Star With a Secret Life
Once a typical young woman from Hisar’s New Aggarwal Colony, Jyoti lived in a modest three-room house. Her father worked as a carpenter, while the family relied partly on her uncle’s pension. After completing her graduation from FCJ College, she moved to Delhi, taking up a job with a monthly salary of ₹20,000. COVID-19 cost her that job, prompting a return to Hisar and the start of her digital journey.
She launched her YouTube channel in August 2019, initially sharing content on affordable shopping in Delhi and local lifestyle hacks. Her video on inexpensive jewelry in the capital gained significant traction. As her follower base grew, she began traveling—first to Nepal and Dhaka, and eventually to Pakistan, Indonesia, and Thailand. But it was her 2025 video series on Pakistan that truly went viral, drawing attention from both fans and intelligence agencies.
How Did She Get Involved with Pakistan’s ISI?
According to sources, Jyoti first came in contact with Pakistani officials while applying for a visa in 2023. There, she reportedly met a diplomat named Danish, later identified as ISI operative Ehsan-ur-Rahim. Danish allegedly introduced her to another ISI contact, Ali Hassan, who facilitated her stay at a five-star hotel in Pakistan and arranged her itinerary.
Investigations revealed that she attended events at the Pakistani High Commission in Delhi, including Pakistan National Day celebrations. In one video, she acknowledged receiving a special invitation and expressed admiration for Pakistan and its people. These appearances and her growing ties with Pakistani diplomats placed her under the scanner of Indian intelligence agencies.
Financial Transactions Raise Red Flags
Police have discovered four bank accounts linked to Jyoti. Suspicious financial transactions, including funds transferred from Dubai, are being examined. Investigators are working to identify the source of these funds and whether they were payments for information shared with foreign handlers.
Her digital devices—three smartphones and one laptop—have been sent for forensic analysis. Deleted data is being recovered to trace the full extent of her activities, including the exchange of messages via WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat.
Alleged Role in Pahalgam Terror Attack Under Scrutiny
Malhotra’s case took a serious turn with revelations linking her to the January 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam. She had visited Kashmir shortly before the incident and reportedly filmed videos near high-risk zones frequented by tourists but lightly guarded by security forces. Intelligence officials suspect that the reconnaissance work may have aided ISI operatives in selecting targets.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), Military Intelligence, and Intelligence Bureau are jointly probing her involvement, especially her communications before and after the attack. Her movement along the Rajasthan border and presence in other sensitive areas have also drawn suspicion.
Unveiling the Spy Network: A Wider Conspiracy?
Malhotra was not the only individual on the radar. The arrest of another suspected agent, Ghazala Khatoon from Malerkotla, and her financial links to Pakistani operatives, helped agencies trace back connections to Jyoti. Ghazala had also communicated with Danish, who used emotional manipulation and promises of marriage to gain her trust.
Following Ghazala’s arrest and the identification of Danish’s multiple Indian contacts, Jyoti was detained on May 15. Indian authorities believe she played a key role in creating a pro-Pakistan narrative online, especially after the Pahalgam incident and India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor airstrike.
Court Proceedings and Ongoing Interrogation
Jyoti Malhotra has been in custody for over a week. A local Hisar court has extended her remand by four days. Her interrogation involves teams from Hisar Police, NIA, and various intelligence agencies. She has not been allowed to meet her father, who stated that Jyoti had a troubled childhood and was raised by him and his mother after her mother abandoned the family.
A Family Left in Shock
Speaking to reporters, Jyoti’s father, Harish Malhotra, expressed disbelief over her arrest. He recalled how she never discussed her work or travel plans in detail and was distant even with her family. “She would simply tell us when she was leaving and when she would return,” he said. The family was unaware of her deeper associations or foreign travel sponsors.
What’s Next in the Investigation?
Authorities are now focusing on three key aspects:
- Her direct contacts within the ISI – including Ali Hassan and others introduced through Danish.
- Potential involvement in terror plotting – especially in connection with Kashmir and Pahalgam.
- Use of social media for narrative warfare – where Jyoti allegedly pushed pro-Pakistan sentiments and attempted to influence other influencers.
The central question remains: Was she a naïve content creator lured into a trap, or a willing participant in an international espionage ring?
As digital platforms blur borders, this case serves as a stark reminder of how online stardom can be weaponized—and how national security agencies are now watching not just physical borders but digital ones too.
