Spy Charges Against Travel Vlogger: The Jyoti Malhotra Case Unfolds
Jyoti Malhotra, a 33-year-old travel vlogger from Hisar, Haryana, is now at the centre of a major spy case. Known for her YouTube channel “Travel with JO”, she used to post videos about her trips. But in just a few weeks, her life has changed completely. She has been arrested and is facing espionage (spying) charges.
What Happened?
Police arrested Jyoti as part of a larger investigation into a spy network believed to be connected to Pakistan. So far, 12 people from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh have been taken into custody.
Jyoti has been booked under the Official Secrets Act and the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) law. She has told her father she is innocent.
Why Is She Suspected?
Videos and reports show Jyoti visited Pakistan three times. In one video, she is seen walking through Lahore with heavy armed security, raising questions about her links with Pakistani officials. She also attended an iftar party at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi and was seen speaking to Danish, a staff member later expelled by India for spying.
Police say Jyoti stayed in touch with Danish during the time of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam and the military tension that followed.
What’s the Current Status?
On May 26, Jyoti was sent to judicial custody (jail). Earlier, she had been in police remand for questioning. Now, she is in jail while the investigation continues.
Police have taken her phones, laptop, and examined her four bank accounts. Officials say they recovered 10-12 terabytes of data from her devices, and the forensic tests are ongoing.
What Has the Police Said?
Haryana police have warned the media not to spread false stories. They said there is no proof yet that Jyoti had access to military secrets, but she did stay in contact with known Pakistani intelligence agents.
They also said she did not marry any Pakistani or convert her religion, clearing up rumours.
What Happens Next?
Agencies like the NIA, Intelligence Bureau, and Military Intelligence are involved in the case. Police are still checking her online activity, international trips, and financial records.
The case has raised many questions, not just about national security, but also about how social media influencers can sometimes become part of global political issues.
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