Haryana-based travel blogger arrested for spying, tied to Pakistani Intelligence Network

A woman from Hisar, Haryana, who runs a travel YouTube channel, has been arrested by the police for spying for Pakistan. The woman, Jyoti Malhotra, is a well-known travel blogger who ran a channel called “Travel with Jo.” She had visited Pakistan twice in 2023. According to the police, she shared sensitive information with Pakistani intelligence agents and had close contact with their network. This is the third arrest from Haryana this week after India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire.

Jyoti Malhotra was arrested under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act. She has been placed on a five-day police remand for further questioning.

Contact with Pakistan officials

Police say Jyoti first came into contact with Pakistani intelligence in 2023 when she visited the Pakistan High Commission (PHC) in Delhi. There, she met a staffer named Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish. Danish helped her build more links with the Pakistani network. Later, when she travelled to Pakistan, she met a man named Ali Ehwan who arranged her stay and movement inside the country.

Ali introduced her to Pakistani intelligence officers, including people named Shakir and Rana Shahbaz. She saved Shakir’s number under a fake name, “Jatt Randhawa,” to avoid suspicion. After returning from Pakistan, she remained in constant touch with these agents using encrypted apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat.

Police say she was not working alone. There is a larger network of people connected with this case. The network operates across Haryana and Punjab, and it includes agents, money handlers, and informants. This group helped gather and pass information to Pakistan.

Investigators also found that Jyoti got involved in a romantic relationship with one of the Pakistani intelligence officers. They even travelled to Bali, Indonesia, together. She continued to stay in touch with Danish and others through encrypted platforms while he was still posted in India.

After this case came to light, the Indian government declared Danish persona non grata and expelled him from the country on May 13, 2025. This means he was no longer allowed to stay or work in India due to his activities.

Police also found that Jyoti’s social media was being used to create a positive image of Pakistan. Through her channel and online posts, she tried to show a friendly side of the country. But behind the scenes, she was allegedly involved in serious spying activities.

The police registered the case at Hisar Civil Lines police station based on a complaint from sub-inspector Sanjay. The FIR clearly mentions how Jyoti built contacts, what she did during her travels, and how she passed on secret information. Investigators are now looking into all the people she spoke with, travelled with, and worked with over the last few years.

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Deep spy network suspected

Authorities believe that the spy network Jyoti was part of may be larger than they first thought. Other recent arrests in Haryana also point towards a bigger intelligence operation supported by Pakistan. In another recent case, a security guard from Panipat was arrested for spying. A student from Kaithal was also caught and confessed to links with Pakistani intelligence.

Jyoti’s arrest is now being seen as part of this same pattern. Her background as a travel blogger and her online presence gave her access to various places. She used her travels to hide her real work and also to spread content that would not raise suspicion.

The police say that she admitted her crime during the investigation. Now, they are trying to find out how much information she leaked and who all were involved in helping her. Her electronic devices, chats, and travel details are being studied closely.

This case has raised strong concerns in India’s national security agencies. The idea that a travel blogger with thousands of followers was involved in espionage is alarming. It shows how social media can be used as a cover for such serious crimes. It also shows that Pakistan is using modern methods and attractive people to reach Indian targets.

Police say that more people may be arrested soon. They are following leads across Haryana and Punjab. Many suspects are being questioned to understand the full network.

The arrest also brings attention to how people visiting the Pakistan High Commission can be targeted or influenced. The Indian government may now keep a stricter watch on such visits and social media influencers with foreign contacts.

Jyoti Malhotra’s case is being seen as a serious threat to India’s national security. Authorities are treating this as a high-priority investigation and hope to break the full spy ring soon.