कृपया इसे हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहाँ क्लिक करें
Indian security agencies arrested six people, including Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, on May 17, 2025, for allegedly spying for Pakistan’s intelligence services during Operation Sindoor. They are accused of sharing sensitive details—like blackout schedules and troop movements—with handlers in New Delhi and Islamabad using encrypted apps and proxy contact names. Malhotra, a travel vlogger with over 3.7 lakh YouTube subscribers and 1.3 lakh Instagram followers, is said to have visited Pakistan in March 2025 and met a now-expelled Pakistan High Commission staffer. Investigations continue to map a wider spy ring that also includes a UP businessman and several students.
Background of the Case
In early May 2025, Indian agencies intensified blackouts and patrols in various regions to secure sensitive installations in the northern states. During this period, communications intercepts flagged unusual encrypted messages sent to Pakistan handlers. Security agencies traced these messages to six individuals spread across Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh.
Arrests and Charges
- Jyoti Malhotra (33), arrested from Hisar, Haryana, is charged under the Official Secrets Act (1923) and Indian Penal Code sections on espionage and sedition.
- Nauman Elahi, Devender Singh Dhillon, and Arman—also YouTubers or bloggers—were taken into custody for similar offences.
- Shahzad, a businessman from Moradabad, and a student from Rampur were arrested soon after on smuggling and espionage suspicions.
All accused remain presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Who Is Jyoti Malhotra?
Jyoti runs the “Travel with Jo” YouTube channel, posting vlogs about hill-station trips, local foods, and scenic treks. With over 3.7 lakh subscribers, she often streams live from Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, attracting thousands of viewers. In March 2025, she travelled to Pakistan—an uncommon move for Indian travel vloggers—raising early red flags.
Espionage Tactics and Mode of Operation
- Proxy Names in Contacts: Malhotra saved her handler’s number under aliases like “Jatt Randhawa” and “Shakir.”
- Encrypted Apps: She allegedly used WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat to send photos of power-grid maps and patrol timings.
- Cake Delivery Link: An odd viral photo showed her with a man who delivered cake to the Pakistan High Commission days after a terror attack in Pahalgam—raising questions about covert communications.
Related Arrests & Wider Spy Ring
This case follows nine other espionage arrests since early May, including students in Punjab and a smuggler in UP. Authorities suspect a coordinated network grooming social-media influencers as “assets” to shape narratives and collect battlefield intelligence.
Impact and Analysis
- National Security: The arrests expose how social-media trust is being exploited for espionage.
- Digital Vigilance: Security experts urge platforms to flag repeated border-area postings.
- Public Trust: Viewers feel shocked that a friendly travel guide could be an alleged spy—highlighting the thin line between influencer and informant.
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