YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, accused of spying for Pakistan, to appear before Hisar court today

Jyoti Malhotra is one of 12 people arrested earlier this month in a case linked to a suspected spy ring with alleged ties to Pakistan.

Updated on: May 26, 2025, 13:23:26 IST

By HT News Desk

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YouTuber and social media influencer Jyoti Malhotra, who was arrested on suspicion of spying for Pakistani agents, will be brought before a court in Hisar on Monday, as her four-day police remand ends.

'Spy' YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra to be presented in Hisar court today (Facebook/@TravelWithJo)

The local court had extended the police remand of social media influencer Jyoti Malhotra by four days, after her initial five-day custody ended last Thursday.

Malhotra, 33, is one of 12 people arrested earlier this month from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. The arrests were linked to a suspected spy ring with alleged ties to Pakistan.

What the police probe has revealed so far

Hisar police said on Wednesday that they have not found any proof that Malhotra had access to military or defense secrets. However, they claimed she was in contact with people she knew were Pakistan intelligence agents.

“So far, we have not found any evidence of her involvement in any terror activity or her alignment with any terrorist group. We have not found any document which depicts that she wants to marry any PIOs or wants to change religion,” Hisar Superintendent of Police added.

Also read: YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra was in touch with Pakistan operatives; no links to terror: Police

Police sources had earlier said that she had been in contact with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish, an employee at the Pakistani High Commission in India, since November 2023. Danish was expelled by the Indian government on May 13 for allegedly being involved in spying activities.

Police have sent her three mobile phones and a laptop for forensic tests. They are also probing into four of her bank accounts.

Also read: How ex-Pakistan high commission staffer Danish targeted YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra

Meanwhile, National Investigation Agency (NIA), Intelligence Bureau (IB), and military intelligence have also questioned Malhotra after she was booked booked under the relevant sections of the Official Secrets Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Investigations show that Malhotra has traveled to Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, and a few other countries in recent years. Police say Pakistani agents were trying to recruit her as a spy.

She was reportedly in contact with Danish during a recent four-day military standoff between India and Pakistan after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.

Also read: Why YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra's father failed to meet her in court

Last week, Malhotra's father questioned the repeated extensions of her police remand. “They had taken her on a five-day remand earlier. Now, she’s been given four more days. They didn’t find anything before, so what will they find now?” he told news agency IANS.

Jyoti Malhotra runs a travel YouTube channel called “Travel with JO” and was arrested from the New Aggarsain Extension area in Hisar under espionage charges.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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