By Kavita Mistry 
Last Updated:
According to the police, Malhotra was tasked with promoting a positive image of Pakistan through her social media work
YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra among those arrested for allegedly spying on India
Hisar Superintendent of Police Shashank Kumar Sawan on Sunday said that Pakistani intelligence operatives (PIOs) are actively trying to recruit Indian social media influencers to “push their narrative” online.
Sawan made these remarks amid an ongoing investigation into Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra’s alleged links, following her arrest on charges of spying for Pakistan.
“Modern warfare is not only fought on the border,” SP Sawan told the media at a press briefing. “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.”
#WATCH | Jyoti, a resident of Haryana’s Hisar, has been arrested for allegedly sharing sensitive information and being in continuous contact with a Pakistani citizen.SP Hisar Shashank Kumar Sawan says, “Modern warfare is not only fought on the border. The PIOs are trying to… pic.twitter.com/fFKP6KBSKK
— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2025
Malhotra, a travel content creator from Hisar, was taken into custody on 16 May and placed under a five-day police remand. Her financial records are also being scrutinised. “Her travel details are defying her total income,” the officer added.
SP Sawan further revealed that Malhotra was allegedly in touch with Pakistani operatives during the recent military standoff between India and Pakistan, following Operation Sindoor. However, he clarified that while she maintained contact with the PIOs, there is no evidence so far of her having direct access to critical defence information.
“Although she remained in touch with PIOs, she did not have any direct access to critical military or defence information,” he added.
Hisar, Haryana: On the arrest of YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra for allegedly spying for Pakistan, SP Hisar Shashank Kumar Sawan says, “During the conflict, she was in contact with PIOs… Although she remained in touch with PIOs, she did not have any direct access to critical military… pic.twitter.com/N8Z5Fez4mh— IANS (@ians_india) May 18, 2025
Malhotra, 33, runs a travel blog and a YouTube channel titled “Travel with JO,” which has over 3.77 lakh subscribers. Her Instagram account also has more than 1.33 lakh followers.
She is accused of sharing “sensitive information” with a Pakistani staff member at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, who was expelled from India on 13 May for alleged espionage.
According to the police, Malhotra was tasked with promoting a positive image of Pakistan through her social media work.
The YouTuber has been booked under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act, which deals with acts prejudicial to India’s sovereignty and integrity.
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- Location :
Haryana, India, India
- First Published: