How Jyoti Malhotra, the YouTuber and travel blogger with thousands of followers, passed secret information to Pakistan: Apps used and more

Jyoti Malhotra , a travel blogger and YouTuber, has been arrested by Civil Lines police in Hisar, Haryana, on suspicion of spying for Pakistan. Jyoti Malhotra runs the YouTube channel Travel with JO. She was arrested from New Aggarsain Extension and has been booked under the relevant sections of the Official Secrets Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, said police. Officials stated that Malhotra’s sustained engagement with Pakistani intelligence constitutes a violation of the Official Secrets Act and poses a threat to national security.

Her YouTube channel account shows some videos regarding her visit to Pakistan -- 'Indian Girl in Pakistan', 'Indian Girl Exploring Lahore', 'Indian Girl at Katas Raj Temple' and 'Indian Girl Rides Luxury Bus in Pakistan'.

How Jyoti Malhotra passed secret information to Pakistani Intelligence agencies
Police said that Malhotra maintained regular contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives and shared sensitive information through platforms including WhatsApp, Telegram and Snapchat. She reportedly saved Shahbaz's mobile number as 'Jatt Randhawa' to avoid any suspicion.

How Big is Jyoti Malhotra on YouTube and Instagram
Jyoti's YouTube channel and Instagram account have 3.77 lakh subscribers and 1.33 lakh followers respectively. She has described herself as a 'Nomadic Leo Girl', 'Wanderer Haryanvi + Punjabi' and 'purane khayalon ki modern ladki' on her YouTube channel.

Who is Jyoti MalhotraMalhotra has YouTube channel "Travel with JO" and has frequently traveled to various countries, including Pakistan. Investigators state that she was tasked by her Pakistani handlers to project a positive image of Pakistan through her social media content. During interrogation, Malhotra claimed she was part of a delegation that visited Pakistan in 2023.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), during this visit, she reportedly met a man identified as Ahsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish and continued communication with him via WhatsApp and other messaging applications after returning to India.

On a subsequent trip to Pakistan, allegedly at Ahsan’s suggestion, Malhotra came into contact with another individual, Ali Ahsan, who introduced her to members of Pakistan’s intelligence and security establishment.

Police allege that it was during this period that Malhotra began sharing information deemed sensitive with her Pakistani contacts. Malhotra reportedly admitted to saving the contact numbers of her Pakistani handlers under deceptive names to evade suspicion. Investigators believe this was a deliberate attempt to conceal her interactions with Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs).

पाकिस्तान के लिए जासूसी करने के आरोप में यूट्यूबर ज्योति मल्होत्रा को गिरफ्तार किया गया.

ज्योति मल्होत्रा का एक वीडियो 👇 pic.twitter.com/Jyy0SDA120

— Ranvijay Singh (@ranvijaylive) May 17, 2025

Indian YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra arrested for spying for Pakistan.

She came close to a Pakistani embassy employee, Danis, and started to share classified information with him. pic.twitter.com/dOiaIQoEks

— Vijay Patel (@vijaygajera) May 17, 2025

YouTuber and Travel Blogger #JyotiMalhotra

She visited Pakistan two months ago and made a vlog

Showing how good and hospitable the people of Pakistan are.

She wanted de-escalate.

Today, she has been arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/7b4MPeMIWC

— Yanika_Lit (@LogicLitLatte) May 17, 2025

Jyoti Malhotra, a YouTuber with 3 lakh followers, arrested in Haryana for spying for Pakistan’s ISI. While our soldiers risk their lives daily, traitors like her sell out the nation for a few bucks. Shame on such disgraceful citizens! #JyotiMalhotra
pic.twitter.com/oDkFBileUg

— Nikhil saini (@iNikhilsaini) May 17, 2025