🇮🇳 Jyoti Malhotra Espionage Case: Hisar Court Extends Remand by 4 Days Amid Deepening Probe
YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra | File Image | Instagram
Hisar, Haryana — A Hisar court on Thursday extended the police remand of social media influencer and YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra by four days as investigations into a suspected espionage network with links to Pakistan continue to unfold.
The 33-year-old content creator, known for her travel channel "Travel with JO", was arrested last week under the Official Secrets Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. She was produced before the court at the end of her initial five-day police custody.
Key Developments So Far
Malhotra was arrested from New Aggarsain Extension, Hisar, and is among 12 individuals held across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh in connection with what investigators suspect is a Pakistan-linked spy ring operating in northern India.
Police say Malhotra knowingly maintained contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives, including one Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a staffer at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi who was expelled by India on May 13 for allegedly engaging in espionage activities.
According to intelligence officials, Malhotra had been in touch with Danish since November 2023 and remained in communication even during the India-Pakistan military conflict that followed the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
No Military Data Leak Yet, But Links Confirmed
Police officials clarified that no direct evidence has surfaced so far to prove Malhotra accessed or shared any military or defence-related information. However, they maintain that her communication patterns and overseas travel raise concerns.
"She was aware that she was in contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives," a Hisar police spokesperson stated on Wednesday.
Authorities suspect that Pakistan’s ISI was attempting to develop Malhotra as a long-term asset. The content creator had visited countries like Pakistan, China, and Bangladesh, among others, in recent years.
Digital Forensics and Financial Analysis Underway
The police have seized three mobile phones and a laptop from Malhotra. These devices have been sent for forensic analysis, while her four bank accounts are being reviewed for suspicious transactions.
Investigative agencies including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Intelligence Bureau (IB), and military intelligence have also interrogated Malhotra.
Background and Arrests So Far
The arrests over the past two weeks are being viewed as part of a larger crackdown on a suspected espionage network operating in India’s northern states. Sources indicate that Pakistani intelligence operatives may have been recruiting Indians through social media platforms, using both ideological and financial lures.
In Malhotra’s case, her digital content and frequent foreign travels likely made her a person of interest for intelligence handlers.
What's Next in the Investigation?
With the remand now extended, police are expected to interrogate Malhotra further, especially about her contacts in Pakistan and her role—if any—in the alleged espionage network.
Forensic analysis of her gadgets may provide crucial insights into whether any classified information was passed on, or whether she was being groomed for future intelligence work.
The probe could also unravel how social media influencers and digital creators may be increasingly vulnerable to foreign influence, particularly when they operate independently and frequently travel abroad.
Why This Case Matters
The arrest of a content creator in a suspected espionage case has raised serious concerns about national security in the digital age. While Malhotra’s involvement is still under investigation, the case highlights the growing risks of foreign influence on civilians through online platforms, especially amid rising geopolitical tensions in the region.
With input from agencies
