Jyoti Malhotra has deep links with Pakistan's ISI: NIA

New Delhi:
In a startling development, the arrest of Haryana-based travel vlogger Jyoti Malhotra has brought to light a complex espionage network allegedly linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Malhotra, a prominent social media influencer with over 400,000 YouTube subscribers and 132,000 Instagram followers, is among eleven individuals apprehended on charges of spying for Pakistan.

Authorities suspect that the ISI deliberately targeted popular digital personalities like Malhotra, who could covertly gather sensitive information while shaping favorable narratives about Pakistan. Her influence and cross-border travel history raised red flags after detailed scrutiny.

Also Read:Father of Haryana YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra defends daughter amid spying charges

Alleged Espionage and Evasive Conduct:
Currently under a five-day custody, Malhotra is being jointly interrogated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Intelligence Bureau (IB), and Haryana Police. Officials claim she has provided unclear and misleading answers during questioning. Investigators discovered she had deleted key conversations from her phone, particularly with Ehsan Dar alias Danish, a Pakistani High Commission staffer expelled by India on May 13 following the Pahalgam attack.

Authorities suspect that these deleted chats may have contained instructions or intelligence transfers. Her mobile device has been submitted for forensic evaluation.

Foreign Trips Under Scrutiny:
Her international visits, especially to Pakistan, China, and Bangladesh, are now part of an extended investigation. Malhotra’s trips to Pakistan in April 2023, early 2024, and March 2025, initially said to be for religious tourism are being reevaluated for possible hidden agendas.

Of particular concern is her China visit shortly after her last trip to Pakistan. Investigators believe that this travel might have been coordinated during her stay in Pakistan. One of her publicly available videos even shows her seeking a Chinese visa at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi.

Revealing Diary and Intelligence-Sensitive Videos:
A personal diary found in her possession has offered investigators further insight. The journal, written in both Hindi and English, documents her trips to Pakistan, where she reportedly interacted with military personnel. Her writings depict a sympathetic view of Pakistan and emphasize cross-border unity and cultural connection.

In another note, she praised Pakistan for maintaining religious sites and allowing cross-border reunions of families divided by Partition.

Meanwhile, her travel videos from Kashmir, particularly from Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Ladakh, Pangong Lake, and other strategic locations are under intense review. Investigators are determining whether her content unintentionally or deliberately provided reconnaissance data to militants, particularly in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.

Furthermore, authorities have uncovered footage stored in her cloud that allegedly includes visuals of BSF troop movements and radar positions in sensitive border zones such as Pathankot, Nathu La, and Arunachal Pradesh.