Haryana Travel Vlogger Faces Espionage Allegations: Police Debunk Misinformation in Jyoti Rani Malhotra Case
Hisar, Haryana, May 22, 2025 — Jyoti Rani Malhotra, a 33-year-old travel vlogger from Hisar, known for her YouTube channel “Travel with Jo” boasting over 377,000 subscribers, was detained by the Indian authorities on May 16, 2025, accused of espionage activities for Pakistan. In a press release issued on May 21, 2025, Hisar Police Superintendent Shashank Kumar Sawan stated that Malhotra faces charges under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for allegedly compromising India’s national security. However, the police have clarified that investigations are ongoing, with no evidence yet confirming that Malhotra shared sensitive military or strategic data, countering sensationalised media reports.
The case came to light after Punjab Police provided intelligence on May 7, 2025, revealing Jyoti’s interactions with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, alias Danish, a Pakistani High Commission official expelled from New Delhi on May 13, 2025, for spying. According to the FIR lodged at Hisar’s Civil Lines Police Station, Jyoti Malhotra connected with Danish in 2023 while arranging a visa for travel to Pakistan, which she visited at least twice. During these trips, she allegedly engaged with Pakistani intelligence operatives, including individuals named Shakir and Rana Shahbaz, whose contact she discreetly saved as “Jatt Randhawa” to evade suspicion.
Authorities confiscated three mobile phones, a laptop, and other electronic devices from Malhotra, which are currently under forensic examination. Additionally, a Kurukshetra-based individual, Harkirat, who assisted with her visa arrangements, was questioned, and two mobile phones were seized from him. He has not been arrested. The forensic analysis remains inconclusive, with no definitive evidence yet regarding the nature of any information Malhotra may have shared.
In their May 21 statement, the Hisar Police addressed widespread misinformation circulating in Indian print, electronic, and social media platforms, which they say is obstructing the investigation and posing risks to national security. They provided clarifications to dispel false narratives:
- No Military Data Found: Contrary to media speculation, no evidence indicates that Jyoti Malhotra accessed or transmitted military, defense, or strategic information.
- Hisar Police Lead Inquiry: Reports suggesting central agencies like the NIA have taken over are incorrect; the investigation remains under Hisar Police, with central agencies only conducting periodic questioning.
- No Diary in Evidence: Alleged diary pages, reportedly showing pro-Pakistan sentiments, are not in police custody and form no part of the investigation.
- Bank Transactions Under Review: Examination of Malhotra’s four bank accounts continues, with no findings yet confirming payments from Pakistan.
- No Terrorist Connections: There is no evidence linking Malhotra to terrorist groups or activities, despite her communications with Pakistani operatives.
- Unsubstantiated Personal Claims: Allegations of Malhotra planning marriage or religious conversion with a Pakistani operative lack any evidential basis.
Harish Malhotra, Jyoti’s father and a retired employee of the Haryana electricity department, has staunchly defended his daughter. He asserts that her trips to Pakistan were authorized, conducted on an Indian passport for creating YouTube content, and questions what sensitive documents she could have accessed. “Engaging with people isn’t a crime,” he told journalists, insisting she has been wrongly targeted.
Police have noted that Malhotra’s luxurious treatment during her Pakistan visits and a subsequent trip to China in 2024 raised red flags. Her YouTube videos, such as “Indian Girl in Pakistan” and “Exploring Lahore,” have been scrutinized, with claims she was instructed to promote a favourable image of Pakistan.
This case is part of a larger operation, with 12 individuals arrested across Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh since May 7, 2025, for suspected espionage linked to Pakistani operatives. Among them are Devinder Singh Dhillon, a 25-year-old student from Kaithal, accused of sharing images of the Patiala cantonment, and Nauman Ilahi, a 24-year-old security guard from Panipat.
Hisar SP Shashank Kumar Sawan described the situation as a form of “modern warfare,” where influencers are leveraged to advance foreign agendas. “While socializing is permissible, one must be cautious of underlying motives. Pakistan is not an ordinary neighbour for India,” he remarked, suggesting Malhotra was being cultivated as an asset by Pakistani operatives.
The Haryana Police have called on media to exercise caution and rely solely on official statements, warning that speculative reports fueled by “sources and conjecture” could undermine the investigation and national security. Malhotra remains in police custody, with her remand extended by four days on May 22, 2025. The case has ignited intense debate, with some X users branding her actions as treason, while others await forensic results to substantiate the allegations.
As the probe continues, questions persist about how a travel vlogger without access to classified information could face such grave accusations. The outcome of the forensic analysis and court proceedings will be pivotal in resolving the controversy surrounding Jyoti Rani Malhotra.
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