Indian authorities arrested Jyoti Malhotra on charges of spying for Pakistan, amid claims of her connections with a Pakistani High Commission official. The influencer's father defends her, asserting her travel was legal.
Travel Influencer Detained in India Over Allegations of Espionage Ties with Pakistan
Travel Influencer Detained in India Over Allegations of Espionage Ties with Pakistan
Jyoti Malhotra, a YouTube travel influencer, faces accusations of espionage amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
Police in Haryana have apprehended Jyoti Malhotra, a prominent travel influencer and YouTuber, on allegations of espionage linked to Pakistan. Sri Malhotra, who has amassed a significant following of 377,000 subscribers on YouTube, allegedly traveled to Pakistan multiple times, with her most recent visit occurring in March 2025.
Investigators claim that Ms. Malhotra was in contact with a high-ranking official from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, who was expelled from India earlier this month. Officials assert that Ms. Malhotra had several interactions with this individual, which reportedly raised suspicions regarding her intentions. Her father vehemently denied the spying allegations, asserting that she conducted her travels with official approval.
Describing herself as a "modern girl with old ideas," Ms. Malhotra’s online presence has showcased her journeys not only across Pakistan, but also to various other nations, including Bangladesh, China, and Thailand. Police are probing how she funded her travels, given concerns that her visible wealth does not align with her known income sources.
Authorities are regarding Ms. Malhotra's connections as potentially linked to the recent violence in Pahalgam, Kashmir. Superintendent Shashank Kumar Sawan reported that she had ongoing communications with other Pakistani nationals and YouTubers, suggesting a network of collaboration within her activities. Furthermore, her interactions with the official led her to visit the High Commission to apply for a visa.
The backdrop of Malhotra's arrest is marked by strained diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan, exacerbated by military clashes and retaliatory strikes earlier in May. On 13 May, the Indian government had previously expelled Ahsan-ur-Rahim, underscoring the sensitive nature of cross-border relations. While both countries have faced allegations of espionage, Malhotra's case has drawn particular focus amid the rising tensions, coinciding with a recent ceasefire agreement.
As the investigation proceeds, questions remain about the influencer's travel motives and her possible connections to broader geopolitical issues.
