In a shocking turn of events that has sent ripples through India’s digital and security landscapes, Jyoti Malhotra, a popular Haryana-based travel vlogger known for her YouTube channel Travel with Jo, was arrested on May 17, 2025, for allegedly sharing sensitive Indian military information with Pakistani intelligence operatives.
The 33-year-old influencer, celebrated for her vibrant travelogues and a following of over 377,000 YouTube subscribers, now finds herself at the center of a high-stakes espionage investigation that has exposed a clandestine network operating across Haryana and Punjab. Alongside Malhotra, five others have been apprehended, with authorities uncovering tactics like honey-trapping and encrypted communications in what appears to be a sophisticated spy ring.
From Wanderlust to Espionage: Who is Jyoti Malhotra?
Jyoti Malhotra, also known as Jyoti Rani, hails from Hisar, Haryana, and branded herself as a “Nomadic Leo Girl” with a blend of Haryanvi and Punjabi roots. Her YouTube channel, Travel with Jo, and Instagram handle (
@travelwithjo1) with 132,000 followers, showcased her adventures across India and abroad, including destinations like Indonesia, China, and notably, Pakistan. Her content often portrayed her as a cultural ambassador, promoting cross-border harmony through vlogs that highlighted positive aspects of the places she visited, such as Pakistan’s Katas Raj Temple and Lahore’s Anarkali Bazaar. However, behind this vibrant digital persona, investigators allege a far more sinister role.
Malhotra’s journey into the spotlight began after she lost her job at a private firm in Gurugram during the pandemic, prompting her to pursue full-time travel blogging. Her engaging videos, like “Indian Girl in Pakistan” and “Indian Girl Exploring Lahore,” garnered significant attention, but it was her multiple trips to Pakistan—reportedly four between 2023 and 2025—that raised red flags with Indian intelligence agencies.
The Espionage Network: A Web of Deception
The arrests, part of a broader crackdown following heightened India-Pakistan tensions after the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, reveal a complex espionage network. Malhotra’s alleged involvement began in 2023 when she visited the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi to secure a visa. There, she met Ehsan-ur-Rahim, alias Danish, a Pakistani official who was later expelled from India on May 13, 2025, and declared persona non grata for espionage activities. Danish reportedly introduced Malhotra to Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs), including individuals identified as Ali Ahwan, Shakir, and Rana Shahbaz, whose contact details she saved under aliases like “Jatt Randhawa” to evade suspicion.
Investigators claim Malhotra maintained regular contact with these operatives via encrypted platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat, sharing sensitive information about Indian military installations and movements. Her YouTube videos, which portrayed Pakistan positively, are now believed to have been part of a coordinated propaganda effort orchestrated by her handlers. Shockingly, authorities also allege that Malhotra developed an intimate relationship with one of the PIOs, even traveling to Bali, Indonesia, with him, hinting at the use of honey-trapping tactics to manipulate and recruit vulnerable individuals.
The espionage ring extends beyond Malhotra. Among the six arrested are Guzala, a 32-year-old widow from Malerkotla, Punjab, who was lured with promises of marriage and received payments via UPI for leaking information, and Devender Dhillon, a 25-year-old student from Kaithal, Haryana, who allegedly shared details about India’s “Operation Sindoor” retaliation strike. Others, like Arman from Nuh, provided logistical support, such as Indian SIM cards, while Nauman Ilahi and Yameen Mohamad facilitated financial transactions. This network, spanning Haryana and Punjab, exploited emotional connections, monetary incentives, and fake promises to extract classified information.
The Investigation: Seized Devices and Legal Charges
Following her arrest in Hisar’s New Aggarsain Extension, Malhotra’s mobile phone and laptop were seized for forensic examination. She has been charged under Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for acts endangering India’s sovereignty, unity, and integrity. A written confession obtained by the police, now under investigation by the Economic Offences Wing, details her interactions with Pakistani operatives.
Malhotra was remanded to five days of police custody for further interrogation, as authorities aim to uncover the full extent of the network and any additional accomplices.
A key piece of evidence is a video Malhotra posted in March 2024, documenting an Iftar dinner at the Pakistan High Commission. In the clip, she is seen interacting warmly with Danish and his wife, expressing enthusiasm for visiting Pakistan and seeking visas from multiple attendees. The familiarity displayed in these interactions, coupled with her subsequent trips and communications, has bolstered the case against her.
The Bigger Picture: National Security and Digital Influence
The arrest of Jyoti Malhotra and her alleged accomplices comes at a time of heightened alertness in India, particularly after the Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives and prompted “Operation Sindoor,” a military response targeting terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The espionage case underscores the evolving tactics of foreign intelligence agencies, which increasingly exploit digital platforms and influencers to gather intelligence and sway public perception. Malhotra’s significant online reach made her an ideal candidate for such operations, highlighting the dual-edged nature of social media influence.
The case also raises questions about the vulnerabilities of ordinary citizens to manipulation through emotional or financial inducements. Tactics like honey-trapping, as seen in Malhotra’s alleged intimate relationship and Guzala’s promise of marriage, reveal how personal connections can be weaponized. The arrests signal an urgent need for enhanced counterintelligence measures, stricter monitoring of cross-border interactions, and public awareness about the risks of engaging with foreign entities under innocuous pretexts.
A Cautionary Tale for the Digital Age
Jyoti Malhotra’s transformation from a beloved travel vlogger to an accused spy is a stark reminder of how digital personas can mask dangerous realities. Her story, interwoven with betrayal, intrigue, and national security concerns, serves as a cautionary tale for influencers and followers alike. As the investigation unfolds, the nation watches closely, grappling with the implications of a breach that has shaken trust in the seemingly harmless world of travel vlogging.
For now, Malhotra and her co-accused remain in custody, their devices under scrutiny, and their actions under the legal microscope. The unraveling of this espionage network is a critical step in safeguarding India’s security, but it also prompts a broader reflection on the hidden dangers lurking in the interconnected digital age.
Sources: NDTV, India Today, The Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Print web
Disclaimer: The information presented is based on available reports as of May 18, 2025, and ongoing investigations may reveal additional details.
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6 people have been arrested for spying for Pakistan
1. Jyoti Malhotra (Hindu)
2. Jafar Hussain (Muslim)
2.Devendra Singh Dhillon (Sikh)
3. Palak Sher Masih (Christian)
4.Suraj Masih (Christian)
6. (Unknown)