Jyoti Malhotra Arrested: Travel Vlogger from Hisar Caught in Alleged Pakistani Spy Network

Hisar, Haryana – In a shocking revelation, 33-year-old travel vlogger Jyoti Malhotra, also known as Jyoti Rani, has been arrested on charges of espionage for Pakistan. Malhotra, the face behind the popular YouTube channel ‘Travel with JO’, is accused of being part of a deeply embedded Pakistani spy network operating in northern India.

The arrest was made on Saturday following an extensive investigation led by Central Intelligence Agencies and the CIA staff of Hisar Police. Jyoti Malhotra was taken into custody from her residence in New Agarsain Extension, Hisar, after being tracked for suspicious activities over the past few months.

Who is Jyoti Malhotra?

Jyoti Malhotra is a well-known digital content creator who began her journey on YouTube in 2011. Her channel ‘Travel with JO’ has over 3.77 lakh subscribers on YouTube and more than 1.5 lakh followers on Instagram. With nearly 500 travel videos and over 5.3 million views, she built a niche as a solo female traveler, exploring places across India and Pakistan.

Malhotra often described herself as a “nomadic Leo girl wanderer”, “Haryanvi + Punjabi” and a “modern girl with traditional values.” Her unique style, regional dialect, and candid storytelling made her a relatable and admired figure in the Indian travel vlogging space.

Visit to Pakistan Raised Red Flags

The turning point came when Jyoti uploaded a YouTube Short in March 2025, where she spoke about visiting Hindu pilgrimage sites in Pakistan. While she claimed the trip was religious in nature, intelligence agencies suspected her of being part of a covert influence operation, allegedly soft-pedaling Pakistan’s image at a time of rising Indo-Pak tensions.

Her content reportedly featured subtle messaging that attempted to show Pakistan in a positive light, which authorities now believe was part of a larger strategy to influence Indian viewers.

Espionage Charges & Legal Proceedings

Based on inputs from central agencies, Hisar Police booked Jyoti Malhotra under:

• Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023
• Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923

During interrogation, Malhotra allegedly confessed to certain activities, which led to her being placed under five-day police custody. The case has now been handed over to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) for further probe into financial transactions and foreign connections.

A Spy Behind the Screen?

Investigators claim that behind her digital persona, Malhotra may have played a key role in coordinated psychological operations, possibly helping shape narratives favorable to Pakistan through her travel content.

Authorities are now investigating the extent of her network, financial ties, and any encrypted communication channels that may have been used for sharing sensitive information.

National Security Under Spotlight

This arrest comes just days after the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 Hindu civilians were killed in a brutal ambush claimed by Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based terror outfit. Survivors alleged that Hindu men were selectively targeted in the attack.

In retaliation, the Indian military launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, targeting nine terror infrastructure camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The arrest of Jyoti Malhotra has sent shockwaves across social media, where her fans are grappling with the allegations. Her rise from a small-town vlogger to a national-level content creator now faces scrutiny in light of espionage charges.

With the case now in the hands of higher investigative agencies, more revelations are expected in the coming days as India tightens its grip on cyber surveillance and cross-border intelligence operations.