Background of Jyoti Malhotra's Arrest
Jyoti Malhotra, a YouTuber from Hisar, has been detained on suspicions of espionage for Pakistan. Her social media activity reveals frequent visits to Pakistan, including attendance at an Iftar gathering at the Pakistan High Commission. In her posts, she expressed admiration for Pakistan, referring to Lahore as the 'Cultural heart of Pakistan.'
Meetings with Pakistani Officials
Reports indicate that Malhotra, 33, was filmed interacting with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, a Pakistani High Commission official, who has been labeled persona non grata due to allegations of espionage and leaking sensitive information about Indian military movements. The footage also shows her conversing with Rahim's wife, suggesting a close relationship developed over multiple encounters.
Malhotra's Enthusiastic Engagement
In a video shared on March 30, Malhotra expressed her excitement about being invited to the Iftar event, commenting on the impressive decorations. She greeted Rahim warmly, showcasing her familiarity with him and other officials, and introduced herself as the creator of the YouTube channel 'Travel With Jo.'
Involvement with Intelligence Operatives
Investigators have uncovered that Malhotra maintained contact with Pakistani intelligence agents via encrypted messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. To protect their identities, she saved their contacts under aliases, such as referring to one handler as 'Jatt Randhawa.'
Connections with Pakistani Officials
According to police sources, Malhotra was first introduced to Ehsan-ur-Rahim in 2023, who assisted her in extending her visa and connecting her with intelligence operatives. She has reportedly confessed to sharing sensitive information about Indian locations and has visited Pakistan over four times, including twice in 2023.
Claims of Video Production
Malhotra's father asserts that her trips to Pakistan were solely for creating YouTube content and is requesting the return of her confiscated devices. He emphasized that she had obtained the necessary permissions for her travels and questioned the police's actions regarding their belongings.
