Jyoti Malhotra Instagram: The Instagram account of Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who runs the travel vlog channel Travel with Jo, has been taken down by Meta amid mounting controversy over her alleged involvement in a Pakistan-linked espionage ring. This development follows her arrest on May 17, 2025, in Hisar under charges of spying for Pakistan — a case that has sent shockwaves through both political and digital communities.
The 33-year-old content creator, with over 377,000 subscribers on YouTube, is accused of transmitting sensitive information to Pakistani intelligence operatives. Her arrest is part of the larger “Operation Sindoor” launched to uncover espionage activities spanning Haryana and Punjab.
While her Instagram account was suspended, her YouTube channel continued to be accessible at the time of writing.
Visa Visit Turns into Espionage Episode
According to police reports, Malhotra’s alleged involvement with Pakistan’s spy network began during her attempts to secure a visa for her cross-border content creation. During one such visit to the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, she reportedly came into contact with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish — an alleged Pakistani intelligence agent.
Officials claim their relationship soon turned intimate, with Malhotra being groomed over multiple sponsored trips to Pakistan in 2023 and 2024. During these visits, she reportedly created content that painted Pakistan in a favourable light — including posts describing Lahore as the “cultural heart of Pakistan” and footage from an Iftar gathering at the Pakistan High Commission, where she appeared visibly acquainted with Danish.
Authorities have invoked Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against her. She is currently in five-day police custody as the investigation continues.
Questions Raised Over Travel and Finances
Investigators are scrutinising Malhotra’s international travel patterns and financial records. Despite being a mid-tier influencer, her frequent trips to countries like China, Bali, and Pakistan — often in the company of the alleged Pakistani agent — have raised eyebrows. Officials suggest her income does not align with the cost of these trips, fuelling suspicion that she may have been funded through covert channels.
Additionally, her visit to Pahalgam in January 2025, just months ahead of a fatal terrorist attack in the region, is now under the scanner for any potential links to her overseas connections.
Political Voices and Family’s Defence
The case has ignited intense political debate. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has vowed to ensure a thorough investigation. “Strictest action will be taken if the charges are proven true,” he asserted.
Opposition leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda, while advocating for justice, cautioned against hasty judgments: “The innocent must be spared, but the guilty must face the law.”
Meanwhile, Malhotra’s father, Haris Malhotra, has come out in her defence, claiming that she visited Pakistan with valid permissions.
As the case unfolds, it has not only highlighted the growing risks at the intersection of digital influence and national security but also raised concerns about how social media platforms handle accounts entangled in criminal investigations.
