By News Desk 
Jyoti Malhotra, a popular travel blogger and YouTuber with millions of followers in India, has been arrested on charges of engaging in anti-national activities and maintaining connections with Pakistan’s intelligence agencies. She runs a YouTube channel titled ‘Travel with Jo’ and during her visit to Pakistan, allegedly developed ties with agents of the Pakistani Intelligence Agency, ISI. So far, six individuals have been arrested in connection with this case, including people from various regions of Haryana and Punjab.
According to reports, Jyoti Malhotra visited Pakistan in 2023, obtaining a visa through a commission-based arrangement. During this trip, she met Ehsan-ur-Rehman alias Danish, an employee at the Pakistan High Commission, with whom she developed close ties. Through Danish, Jyoti was introduced to other ISI agents, including Ali Ehsan and Shakir aka Rana Shahbaz (whom Jyoti had saved in her phone under the name ‘Jatt Randhawa’).
Jyoti maintained contact with these agents via encrypted platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat. Not only did she portray a positive image of Pakistan on her social media, but she is also accused of sharing sensitive information.
Jyoti is among the six individuals arrested following intelligence agencies’ reports that pointed to her involvement in providing crucial information to Pakistani officials. Through Danish and his associate Ali Ehsan, Jyoti was allegedly introduced to Pakistani intelligence officers who arranged her travel and stay in Pakistan. It is also reported that she developed a close relationship with a Pakistani intelligence official, and even traveled to Bali, Indonesia with him recently.
The charges against Jyoti include sharing sensitive information related to Indian locations and maintaining contact with PHC handler Danish while residing in Delhi. A written confession has been recorded, and a case has been filed.
On May 13, 2025, Ehsan-ur-Rehman aka Danish was declared a ‘persona non grata’ by the Indian government and ordered to leave the country. Jyoti was allegedly tasked with promoting a positive image of Pakistan through social media, with the country reportedly using her for propaganda and espionage activities against India.
This case is part of a larger espionage network involving six Indian citizens, including those from Hisar, Kaithal, Nuh (Haryana), and Malerkotla (Punjab), who were found to be acting as agents or financial intermediaries for Pakistani intelligence officers and PHC staff.
The Indian government declared Danish a ‘persona non grata’ on May 13, 2025, and ordered him to leave the country. Jyoti Malhotra has been charged under sections 152 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923. The investigation into this case has been handed over to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in Hisar.
Major Espionage Network Unveiled
This case is not limited to Jyoti alone, as it has uncovered a broader network of individuals from Punjab and Haryana who were allegedly involved with Pakistani agents or acted as financial facilitators for them.
Among the arrested individuals is 32-year-old Gazala, who was involved in financial transactions with Danish and assisted in the visa process. Another suspect, Yameen Mohammad, helped Danish by transferring money through hawala and other channels. Devinder Singh Dhiello, arrested from Kaithal, had sent videos from Patiala Cantonment to Pakistani agents during his visit to Pakistan.
Arman, a local Muslim youth from Nuh in Haryana, was also arrested. He provided Indian SIM cards and, on the instructions of Pakistani agents, visited the site of the 2025 Defence Expo.
Authorities are now planning to intensify their monitoring and investigation of suspicious individuals and activities on social media platforms.
Gazala from Punjab Also Involved in Spy Network
Jyoti is not the only woman allegedly involved in Pakistan’s spy network. Gazala, a widow from Punjab, was also reportedly used by Pakistani agents to send funds. Gazala is from Malerkotla, Punjab. She completed her schooling at the Islamic Girls School, Malerkotla, in 2010 and 2012. Gazala married Imran Rana in 2018, but her husband passed away from a heart attack in 2020.
On February 27, 2025, Gazala applied for a Pakistani visa at the Pakistan High Commission (PHC) in New Delhi, where she met Danish. They exchanged numbers, and after returning to Malerkotla, Gazala began regular communication with Danish through calls, video chats, and messages. She eventually developed feelings for him, as he promised to marry her.
Later, Danish advised Gazala to switch from WhatsApp to Telegram for more secure communication. On March 7, 2025, he sent her INR 10,000 for personal expenses, and by March 23, 2025, Gazala received another INR 20,000 from him. He instructed her to transfer part of that amount to others, which she did, transferring sums of INR 1,800, INR 899, INR 699, and INR 3,000 to individuals he mentioned.
On April 23, 2025, Gazala once again visited the PHC in New Delhi with her friend Bano Nasreena. Danish assured her that he would help her secure the Pakistani visa, and within a day, Gazala received her visa and returned to Malerkotla.
The case has raised significant concerns about the use of social media and encrypted communication platforms for espionage activities, with both Indian and Pakistani agencies increasing their vigilance on such fronts.