Hisar YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra Was Being Groomed by Pakistani Operatives, Says SP

Two days after the arrest of Hisar-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra on espionage charges, Hisar SP Shashank Kumar Sawan stated that Pakistani intelligence operatives (PIOs) had been grooming her as a future asset.

He revealed Malhotra had visited Pakistan multiple times, including a trip shortly before the Pahalgam terror attack, and had also travelled to China.

Soft Narrative Promotion and Financial Probe

At a press conference, SP Sawan explained that central agencies had alerted the Haryana Police that PIOs were recruiting social media influencers to promote soft narratives. Malhotra, arrested on Friday, is in police custody for five days.

“She is being interrogated by the Haryana Police, in coordination with central agencies. We are analysing her financial transactions and travel history to determine the sources of her income,” said Sawan.

“Her known income sources do not justify her foreign travel. We suspect external funding. On the surface, she was just a travel blogger,” he added.

The SP confirmed her direct contact with PIOs, including individuals declared persona non grata by India. While she lacked direct access to sensitive defence information, her communication with PIOs during tense India-Pakistan periods was “alarming.”

Contacts in Pakistan and Under Surveillance

SP Sawan said Malhotra had interacted with several high-profile individuals during her Pakistan visits. Intelligence agencies had already been monitoring her before the arrest.

Authorities are examining her Indian contacts who may have facilitated introductions to PIOs and enabled her foreign travels. Her social media content is also under scrutiny.

‘Operation Sindoor’ and Wider Network

Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapur, speaking from Sirsa, noted that several “anti-national elements” had been identified under ‘Operation Sindoor’.

“As part of the probe, we are collecting concrete evidence to file a strong chargesheet and ensure the highest punishment. Intelligence agencies remain in continuous coordination with district police units,” Kapur said.

Odisha Police Launch Parallel Probe

Odisha Police began their own investigation into Malhotra’s links with a Puri-based YouTuber. Puri SP Vinit Agrawal confirmed she had visited Puri in September 2024 and met a woman who had recently travelled to Kartarpur Sahib.

“The Haryana Police are leading the investigation, and we are cooperating fully,” Agrawal said when asked if intelligence was exchanged.

Encrypted Chats and High Commission Meetings

Malhotra, 33, ran a YouTube channel called “Travel with JO” with 3.77 lakh subscribers. She was arrested on May 16 under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The FIR filed in Hisar stated she met Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish at the Pakistan High Commission in 2023 while applying for a visa.

He introduced her to Ali Ahwan, who arranged her accommodation and further meetings with security officials Shakir and Rana Shahbaz.

“She saved Shakir’s contact as ‘Jatt Randhawa’ to avoid suspicion,” the FIR noted. After returning to India, Malhotra allegedly continued communications with them through encrypted apps.

She reportedly met Danish several times at the Pakistan High Commission. The FIR alleges she was part of a wider network operating across Haryana and Punjab.

Danish Declared Persona Non Grata

On May 13, the Indian government declared Danish persona non grata and asked him to leave within 24 hours. Two days prior, Punjab Police arrested two individuals in Malerkotla in a related case.

Family Denies Allegations

Malhotra’s father has denied the allegations, calling them a conspiracy.

“If there’s solid proof against my daughter, then she’s done wrong—and she should be punished,” he said.

Her arrest followed the detention of Devender Singh from Kaithal, and earlier, Nauman Ilahi from Shamli was arrested in Panipat on similar charges.

Haris Malhotra, visibly distressed, recounted the night of her arrest. The police took her away, returned her briefly, and later seized phones and a notebook from their home.

“Dost hona Pakistan mein koi gunaah thodi hai,” Haris said.

Uncovering a Web of Espionage

The FIR detailed Malhotra’s connections with Danish and her travel to Pakistan, where she met ISI operatives. Danish was expelled for involvement in a spy ring.

Operation Sindoor is ongoing. Harkirat Singh of the HSGMC, who introduced Jyoti to Danish, was recently detained and had his devices seized.

Kaithal SP Astha Modi said 300 GB of data had been extracted from Devendra Singh’s devices, indicating his links with Pakistani intelligence.

Psychological Warfare and Narrative Shaping

Sources claim Pakistan nurtures individuals to pass seemingly minor details that become critical during conflict.

In her modest Hisar room, posters of Friends and a YouTube plaque now contrast the seriousness of the allegations. Neighbours speculated about her character and movements.

Sources claim Danish used her to shape narratives favouring Pakistan, including projecting the country positively and recruiting others. One such case involved a Kashmiri YouTuber introduced to Danish by Jyoti.

Connections with Pakistani Figures

Ali Ehwan, an associate of Danish, allegedly arranged Malhotra’s travel and introduced her to Shakir and Shahbaz. She visited several countries over three years, and her recent Kashmir vlog is now under review.

“Danish was subtly grooming her… She still believes she was simply exercising her freedom of speech,” said SP Sawan.

Further Arrests and Cash Courier Network

Two others were arrested in Punjab for allegedly leaking information to Danish.

Yameen, a travel agent, reportedly acted as a cash courier for Danish and Gujala, a 31-year-old woman seeking to travel to Pakistan. She was cultivated via Telegram and managed fund transfers.

Officials believe she was part of a broader network, though they declined to specify what sensitive information may have been passed.

Gujala last met Danish on April 23, a day after the Pahalgam terror attack. She admitted to receiving funds from both Danish and Yameen.

Officials emphasized that some individuals are cultivated not for direct intelligence exchange but to expand the network and identify future informants.