A significant espionage case has emerged involving Jyoti Malhotra, a 33-year-old travel vlogger from Haryana, who has been arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Her arrest has raised concerns about the potential misuse of social media platforms for espionage activities.
Alleged Espionage Activities
Authorities allege that Pakistani intelligence operatives recruited Malhotra during a 2023 trip to Pakistan. She reportedly met with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, a Pakistan High Commission official, and subsequently maintained contact with ISI handlers. Investigations suggest she leaked sensitive information regarding Indian Army movements in Haryana and Punjab. She saved her handlers’ contacts under names like “Jatt Randhawa” to hide these conversations.
Notably, Malhotra visited Pahalgam in January 2025, shortly before a terrorist attack in the region, raising further suspicions about her involvement in espionage activities.
Impact on the Influencer Community
Malhotra’s arrest has led to increased scrutiny of other Indian content creators with ties to Pakistan. Influencers such as Navankur Chaudhary (Yatri Doctor), Deepanshu Sangwan (nomadic.indian), and Priyanka Senapati have come under the radar due to past collaborations or content referencing Pakistan. While no formal charges have been filed against them, they have publicly distanced themselves from Malhotra and expressed willingness to cooperate with authorities.
Priyanka Senapati, a Puri-based YouTuber known for religious and temple tour vlogs, is under investigation due to her association with Malhotra. In September 2024, she accompanied Malhotra to the Jagannath Temple and then went to Kartarpur, Pakistan, where she recorded the journey for a vlog. Investigators are investigating whether she was aware of Malhotra’s purported actions. Senapati has declared that she is completely assisting with the investigation and was not aware of any spying.
Broader Security Measures
In response to these developments, Odisha police have initiated a thorough scrutiny of local YouTube content creators. This preventive measure involves background checks, content reviews, and analysis of creators’ activities, especially those with foreign connections or large online followings. Creators may be required to provide identity proofs, details of monetization sources, international travel, and collaborations.
