YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra Under Investigation for Alleged Espionage Links to Pakistan

 As the investigation deepens into YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra’s alleged involvement in espionage activities for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), new details have emerged linking her movements to key locations prior to recent security incidents.

Authorities have now confirmed that Malhotra visited Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir in January 2025, just three months before the terror attack in April that claimed multiple lives. The timing and location of her visit have raised serious concerns among intelligence officials.

Adding to the gravity of the case, Malhotra is believed to have been honey-trapped by a Pakistani High Commission staffer, identified as Danish, who is suspected to be an ISI operative. She was arrested on charges of transmitting sensitive information to Pakistani handlers.

The allegations were brought into public view by Shesh Paul Vaid, former Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Vaid stated:

“Is it a coincidence that YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who was honey-trapped by Danish—a Pakistani High Commission employee (most probably an ISI person)—visited Pahalgam in January 2025? She was reportedly passing on sensitive information to ISI handlers.”

He further emphasized the need for vigilance, writing:

“Our intelligence services normally keep under surveillance those frequently visiting the countries or High Commissions of enemy nations like Pakistan, China, and now Bangladesh.”

According to officials, Malhotra—who operates the YouTube channel Travel with JO and is based in Hisar, Haryana—was found to have traveled to Puri, Odisha in September 2024, where she came into contact with another female YouTuber.

Speaking to the press, Puri Superintendent of Police Vinit Agrawal confirmed that the woman Malhotra met had recently traveled to Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan, further deepening suspicions about a broader network.

Malhotra, whose online presence includes 377,000 YouTube subscribers and over 133,000 Instagram followers, was reportedly in direct communication with Danish, who was expelled by the Indian government on May 13 for activities inconsistent with diplomatic norms, namely espionage.

Authorities have also arrested five other individuals in connection with this case, all suspected of providing intelligence to Pakistan’s ISI following the launch of Operation Sindoor, India's recent military response to cross-border terrorism.

The case is being treated as a matter of national security, with investigations ongoing into possible links between the suspects and recent terror activity.