✔ 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
Name
Role
Key Allegations
Guzala (Malerkotla)
Financial conduit
Visited Pak High Commission, received money from Danish
Yameen Mohd (Malerkotla)
Visa facilitator
Assisted in financial transactions
Devinder Dhillon (Kaithal)
Informant
Sent videos of Patiala cantonment
Arman (Nuh)
Logistics
Provided 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