In a stunning twist, Jyoti Malhotra, an influencer travel vlogger based in Haryana and social media influencer, was arrested for reportedly spying on behalf of Pakistan. Popular for her colorful travel videos on YouTube and Instagram using the nickname "Travel with Jo", Malhotra allegedly passed information to Pakistani intelligence officials, which is a serious issue of national security.
Who is Jyoti Malhotra?
Jyoti Malhotra is a renowned creator of content on social media platforms with more than 3.77 lakh subscribers on YouTube and 1.32 lakh on Instagram. Her social media profile calls her a "Nomadic Leo Girl" and a "Wanderer Haryanvi + Punjabi modern girl with old ideas," which appealed to a wide audience. She had established a solid presence on social media by sharing her travels within India and outside, such as in Indonesia, China, and even Pakistan.
Viral Travel Videos from Pakistan Spark Controversy
Malhotra's recent Pakistani videos have been under severe scrutiny. Her travel vlogs two months ago, which showed her crossing the Attari-Wagah border, Anarkali Bazaar in Lahore, Katas Raj Hindu Temple, among others, have been viewed. Her videos also featured Pakistani street food and Indians vs. Pakistanis cultural comparisons.
One of her Instagram posts had the Urdu title "Ishq Lahore," which exhibited her fondness for the city. Investigators now allege, however, that these videos were not just travelogues but a propaganda drive supposedly by Pakistani intelligence to showcase a favorable image of the country.
Alleged Espionage Network
It has emerged that Jyoti Malhotra had company. She was picked up by police with six others, all part of a larger spy ring active in Haryana and Punjab. The alleged entry into espionage in 2023 came on her first Pakistan trip, which she took on a visa procured with the help of commission agents.
On this visit, she met Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a Pakistani official at the Pakistan High Commission (PHC) in New Delhi. The two had close associations, and Ehsan introduced her to Pakistani intelligence agents. Ehsan was subsequently thrown out of India on May 13, 2025, with diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan worsening.
Communication Through Encrypted Channels
Upon her return to India, Malhotra is said to have continued keeping in touch with Pakistani agents through encrypted mediums such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat. She stored their contacts under pseudonyms like "Jatt Randhawa" so she could be secretive about them. She had visited Pakistan thrice, according to authorities, and also gone to Bali, Indonesia, with one of the intelligence officers she is said to have been in a relationship with.
Recent Activity and Kashmir Visit
Prior to her arrest, Malhotra had uploaded a video reacting to the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people and led India to launch Operation Sindoor. The video was named "My views on Pahalgam Kashmir: Shall we visit Kashmir again?"
She had also uploaded footage from an earlier trip to Kashmir, such as a shikara cruise in Dal Lake and a train ride from Srinagar to Banihal.
Public Reaction and Ongoing Investigation
Arrest of popular influencer on espionage charges has left fans and the online community in shock. With millions of impressions on her travel blog, Jyoti Malhotra's dual life has raised serious questions about social media influencers and risks of cross-border propaganda.
The authorities are still investigating the extent of the network and whether it had connections with other operatives based in the north of the country.
