Jyoti Malhotra, a popular YouTuber from Haryana who runs the travel channel Travel with Jo, has been arrested by Hisar Police on charges of espionage for Pakistani intelligence. Authorities allege she maintained regular contact with Pakistani agents and shared sensitive information, while her father insists she was travelling abroad solely to create video content for her channel.
According to media reports, Malhotra was taken into custody following an investigation that revealed consistent communication with a Pakistani national identified as Ahsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish. He is reportedly associated with the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.
Hisar Deputy Superintendent of Police Kamaljeet confirmed her arrest under the Official Secrets Act and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. “She was in continuous contact with a Pakistani citizen. Suspicious material was recovered from her mobile phone and laptop,” he said.
Malhotra has been remanded to five days in police custody. Authorities are now examining her digital communications, bank transactions, and international travel history.
Sources involved in the investigation claim that during initial questioning, Malhotra admitted to meeting Rahim at the Pakistan High Commission in 2023 while applying for a visa. She reportedly travelled to Pakistan twice and met individuals suspected of being linked to Pakistani intelligence services.
Her father, however, has denied all allegations, stating that her travels to Pakistan and other countries were purely for creating travel content and engaging with audiences through her YouTube channel.
