Indian YouTuber Arrested on Suspicion of Espionage for Pakistan

Sat Oct 18 2025 10:21:51 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Travel influencer Jyoti Malhotra faces serious allegations of spying after her interactions with a Pakistani official came to light.

Authorities in Haryana, India, have detained social media personality Jyoti Malhotra, raising eyebrows over her alleged connections to espionage for Pakistan, amid increasing military tensions between the two nations.

In a surprising turn of events, Haryana police have arrested Jyoti Malhotra, a popular YouTuber and travel influencer, over allegations of espionage for Pakistan. The accusations stem from her alleged correspondence with an official from the Pakistan High Commission, who was expelled from India earlier this month due to "activities not in keeping with his official status."

Malhotra has reportedly traveled to Pakistan multiple times, the last visit occurring in March 2025, raising questions about her financial capabilities, given her social media-centric lifestyle. Known for her vibrant posts on platforms like YouTube and Instagram, she has amassed a notable following but failed to clarify how she funded her international travels to diverse locations including Bangladesh, China, and the UAE.

Superintendent of Police Shashank Kumar Sawan has stated that Malhotra was allegedly in contact with "Pakistani intelligence operatives" and has been investigated for possible links to a recent attack in Pahalgam, a tourist location in Kashmir. Authorities suggest that her trips may have been sponsored, further complicating the narrative surrounding her activities.

Malhotra's family has come to her defense, denying that she engaged in spying, while she maintains a persona as a "modern girl with old ideas," often documenting her travels and cultural experiences, including visits to religious sites. Tensions between India and Pakistan have been escalating, especially after military engagements earlier this month when India targeted what it described as terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan following a militant attack on tourists in Kashmir.

The ongoing investigation into Malhotra's case underscores the sensitive nature of India-Pakistan relations, where espionage allegations can quickly spiral into major incidents. Despite the involved parties' denials and counterclaims, the geopolitical climate continues to shape public perceptions of such cases.

As her arrest gains traction, it serves as a potent reminder of the complexities surrounding international travel and digital content creation amid national security concerns.