.jpg)
Why Jyoti Malhotra’s father couldn’t meet her in court
Why YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra’s father was unable to meet her during court appearance
On May 16, Haryana-based travel vlogger and YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra was arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan. She was taken into custody by the Hisar police and booked under serious charges, including the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Since then, the case has drawn wide attention due to her popularity on YouTube and the serious nature of the allegations.
Jyoti, who runs the YouTube channel ‘Travel with JO’, has uploaded many travel vlogs, including her visits to Pakistan. According to the police, she was allegedly in contact with Pakistani operatives and shared some sensitive information with them. However, so far, there is no proof that she had access to highly classified military or defence-related data. But her communication with Pakistani officials has raised major concerns and led to her arrest.
On Thursday, May 23, Jyoti was presented before a Hisar court for an extension of her police custody. The police had originally taken her on five-day custody, and on this day, they sought a seven-day extension. The court, however, granted a four-day extension of her remand. The hearing was held before civil judge (junior division) Sunil Kumar amid tight security. Jyoti was in court from around 9:30 am until 11:00 am.
While this court appearance was taking place, Jyoti’s father, Harish Malhotra, was on his way to meet her. He told the media that he had been given the wrong timing for her court appearance. "I was told that she would be produced in the court in the afternoon, so I went there then. But by the time I reached, she had already left," he said. According to reports from The Tribune, Harish felt disappointed and helpless after missing the chance to see his daughter. The moment had emotional value for him, as he hadn’t been able to meet her since her arrest.
ALSO READ: CM Saini directs departments to finish all short-term projects before monsoon
ALSO READ: Rahul Gandhi meets family of Pahalgam terror attack martyr Lt Vinay Narwal in Karnal
Spying case background
The arrest of Jyoti Malhotra has shocked her followers. She is 33 years old and belongs to Hisar, Haryana. Her content mostly features travel videos and vlogs. Her channel, ‘Travel with JO’, has a large following, and she had also posted videos of her travels to Pakistan in the past. Her arrest has made people question how she came into contact with Pakistani operatives and what led her to allegedly share confidential details.
Police sources have told the media that she is among several individuals arrested in recent weeks from Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh over allegations of spying and being involved in espionage. According to the investigating officers, she was in touch with someone linked to Pakistan's intelligence system. However, police have clarified that no strong evidence has been found so far that shows she had access to core defence or military secrets. Still, the nature of her contacts raised suspicion, which led to her being charged under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, which deal with spying and unlawful sharing of sensitive information.
Another angle being investigated is how she came into contact with Pakistani officials. Reports suggest that she was targeted by a former staffer of the Pakistan High Commission, identified as Danish. His role in connecting with Indian nationals and collecting information is also under investigation. The authorities are probing if Jyoti was influenced or misled by such individuals into sharing details unknowingly or if she was fully aware of her actions.
As the case unfolds, Jyoti’s life has changed drastically—from a travel blogger to an accused in a high-profile espionage case. Her arrest has also led to increased awareness and caution among other content creators who travel frequently or interact with foreign entities. The authorities have taken this case seriously, given the recent increase in spying activities reported in northern India.
This case is part of a larger investigation. Over the past few weeks, several people from different parts of North India have been arrested for allegedly leaking sensitive information to Pakistan. These arrests include individuals from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. The police are working to find out if there is a larger network or if these cases are isolated incidents.
In the meantime, Jyoti remains in police custody as investigations continue. Her next court appearance will likely happen after the four-day custody period ends. For now, she remains away from public view, and her social media accounts have not been updated since her arrest. Her family is going through a tough time, especially her father, who is trying to stay strong and support his daughter while dealing with the media and legal complications.
Despite the charges, the case is still under investigation, and no final conclusions have been made yet. It remains to be seen whether the allegations will be proven in court or if the charges will be dropped due to lack of evidence. Legal experts believe that under the Official Secrets Act, conviction requires strong proof of intent and actual sharing of confidential state information. For now, the authorities are gathering more details to build the case.
Meanwhile, the story continues to gain attention, not just for its legal aspects but also for the emotional side—especially the moment when a father rushed to meet his daughter but missed her because of a simple communication error. This adds a human touch to a case otherwise dominated by national security and legal language. For Harish Malhotra, the pain of missing that brief meeting in court remains fresh, while his daughter’s future hangs in the balance.