In a stunning development that merges social media fame with national security concerns, Indian YouTuber and travel influencer Jyoti Malhotra has been arrested by police in Haryana for allegedly spying for Pakistan. Known for her travel content and a social media persona described as a “modern girl with old ideas,” Malhotra had amassed over 377,000 subscribers on YouTube and more than 133,000 followers on Instagram. However, her frequent international travels — especially repeated visits to Pakistan — raised red flags for Indian authorities. According to the police, her last visit to Pakistan was in March 2025, and she allegedly remained in contact with Pakistani intelligence officials, including a diplomat recently expelled from India.

The arrest came shortly after the Indian government expelled Ahsan-ur-Rahim, a Pakistan High Commission official, on 13 May 2025. He was accused of carrying out activities “not in keeping with his official status.” Police claim that Malhotra had met Rahim in 2023 while applying for a visa to visit Pakistan, and since then had maintained regular communication. Her last video featuring Pakistan showed her attending a Ramadan dinner at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi. Law enforcement agencies are investigating whether these contacts were part of a broader intelligence network and have stated they are also pursuing leads on other collaborators, including other influencers who may have been part of her circle.

Authorities have cast doubt on how Malhotra funded her extensive travel, which included countries such as Bangladesh, China, Thailand, UAE, and Indonesia, beyond India and Pakistan. The scale of her content production, travel logs, and limited visible income sources have puzzled investigators, prompting questions about hidden financial support, possibly linked to foreign agencies. Superintendent of Police Shashank Kumar Sawan said that she frequently traveled on “sponsored trips,” including to Pakistan, and allegedly stayed in touch with Pakistani nationals suspected to be intelligence operatives. While she had no direct access to classified or military data, authorities suspect she may have acted as a courier or recruiter for Pakistan-based handlers.

The case has also taken a serious turn as Malhotra is now being investigated in connection with the recent Pahalgam terror attack, which targeted Indian and foreign tourists. Although no direct links have been established yet, officials are probing whether her frequent travels to Kashmir and Pakistan have any relevance to the militant activity. On 7 May, India carried out retaliatory strikes on what it described as terror camps in Pakistan, a move that escalated tensions between the two countries. A ceasefire was finally announced on 10 May, brokered by US President Donald Trump. In the backdrop of this high-stakes geopolitical strain, Malhotra’s arrest adds another layer of complexity to the already fragile India-Pakistan relationship.

While her father has dismissed the allegations as baseless and stated that she traveled with proper documentation, the case has already made national headlines and triggered polarized public opinion. Supporters argue she may be a victim of misunderstanding or political scapegoating, while critics demand stringent action against anyone seen as compromising national security. The incident serves as a reminder of how modern espionage need not always involve military secrets or formal agents — in today’s digital age, influence, networks, and seemingly innocent content can carry deeper implications. As investigations continue, the case of Jyoti Malhotra is poised to become one of the most closely watched security-related arrests in India this year.

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Source : bbc.com