Haryana YouTuber Admits to Meeting Pakistani Intelligence Agents, Using Encrypted Apps: Sources
Jyoti Malhotra, who runs a travel YouTube channel with 4 lakh subscribers, allegedly confessed to links with expelled Pakistani High Commission official and intel agents.
In a sensational development, 33-year-old Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra has allegedly admitted to maintaining regular contact with Pakistani intelligence agents and using encrypted platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat for communication, sources said on Tuesday.
The revelations came during her interrogation after Indian intelligence agencies intercepted her online activities. Jyoti, who runs the popular YouTube travel channel Travel with Jo, reportedly told investigators that she first connected with Pakistani diplomat Danish—also known as Ehsar Dar—in 2023 at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi while enquiring about a visa.
Danish was among the Pakistani officials expelled by India on May 13 following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.
According to interrogation records accessed by India Today, Jyoti revealed that during her visit to Pakistan in 2023, she was hosted by Danish’s contact, Ali Hassan. Hassan allegedly arranged her travel and accommodation and later introduced her to two individuals believed to be Pakistani intelligence agents—Shakir and Rana Shahbaz.
To avoid suspicion, Jyoti reportedly saved Shakir’s contact number under the alias “Jatt Radhawa.”
After returning to India, she allegedly continued communicating with these individuals through encrypted messaging apps. Officials are now investigating the nature and depth of the information she may have shared with the foreign agents.
While there has been no official public statement from central agencies, sources said legal proceedings are likely to follow under the Official Secrets Act and other relevant laws.
Authorities are also examining Jyoti’s digital footprint, including her YouTube content and mobile data, to verify if any sensitive material was compromised or used for propaganda.
The incident has sparked widespread concern on social media. Several users expressed shock at the alleged espionage links involving a popular influencer, while others questioned the government’s vetting process of foreign travel for content creators.
This development comes days after India expelled several Pakistani High Commission staff members, including Danish, in retaliation to Pakistan’s alleged involvement in espionage and terror facilitation activities.
