Indian Authorities Bust Pak-Linked Espionage Ring, Arrest YouTuber Among 6 Suspects

Key Highlights

✔ 6 individuals detained for allegedly leaking sensitive info to Pakistan-based operatives
✔ YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra (“Travel with Jo”) accused of espionage after 2023 Pakistan visit
✔ Pak High Commission staffer Ehsan-ur-Rahim (expelled May 13) facilitated her travels
✔ Network spanned Haryana & Punjab, involving financial conduits & informants
✔ Charges filed under Official Secrets Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita

The YouTuber’s Alleged Espionage Activities

1. Pakistan Connection

  • Malhotra visited Pakistan in 2023 with help from Ehsan-ur-Rahim (Pak High Commission staffer)
  • Maintained contact with Pak intelligence operatives via WhatsApp, Telegram & Snapchat
  • Saved a handler’s number as “Jatt Randhawa”

2. Sensitive Data Leak

  • Shared location details of strategic Indian sites
  • Used her platform to promote positive narratives about Pakistan
  • Had an intimate relationship with a Pak intelligence agent, traveled with him to Bali, Indonesia

3. Legal Action

  • Charged under:
    • Section 152, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
    • Sections 3, 4, 5 of Official Secrets Act
  • Case transferred to Economic Offences Wing, Hisar

Other Key Accused in the Spy Ring

NameRoleKey Allegations
Guzala (Malerkotla)Financial conduitVisited Pak High Commission, received money from Danish
Yameen Mohd (Malerkotla)Visa facilitatorAssisted in financial transactions
Devinder Dhillon (Kaithal)InformantSent videos of Patiala cantonment
Arman (Nuh)LogisticsProvided Indian SIM cards, attended DefExpo 2025 on ISI instructions

Modus Operandi

  • Operatives lured widows & students with visa help, marriage promises
  • Used encrypted apps for communication
  • Fund transfers through hawala & direct payments

Why This Case Matters

  • Exposes Pakistan’s continued espionage efforts in India
  • Highlights exploitation of social media influencers for intelligence gathering
  • Follows expulsion of Pak diplomat (May 13) in similar case

What’s Next?

  • Further interrogations underway
  • Possibility of more arrests as probe expands
  • Heightened scrutiny on visa applicants with Pak links

“This network was carefully groomed to extract sensitive information. Investigations reveal a systematic ISI-backed operation.” – Security Official