By News Desk 
Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra is under investigation for alleged espionage on behalf of Pakistani authorities. She is being questioned by Indian law enforcement agencies regarding her visits to two of the country’s most sensitive religious sites — the Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri and the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain.
Allegations of Drone Use Over Jagannath Temple
Authorities in Puri are currently verifying claims that Malhotra flew a drone over the Shri Jagannath Temple during her 2024 visit. This act would be a serious violation of UAV restrictions in the area surrounding the sacred site, which is considered a no-drone zone for security and religious reasons.
Ujjain Visit Also Under Scrutiny
A five-member team from the Madhya Pradesh Police traveled to Hisar, Haryana, to question Malhotra, who remains in custody following her arrest. Investigators were looking into her April 2023 visit to the Mahakaleshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva in Ujjain. According to Additional Superintendent of Police Nitesh Bhargava, so far, no suspicious activity related to that visit has been uncovered.
“The Mahakaleshwar temple is a highly sensitive site that receives a large number of domestic and international devotees every day,” Bhargava explained. “Given the nature of the location, it was necessary to question her. This was a precautionary step, and so far we have found nothing incriminating related to her Ujjain visit.”
Arrest and Espionage Charges
Jyoti Malhotra, a 33-year-old travel vlogger, was arrested on May 16 for allegedly sharing classified information with operatives linked to Pakistan. She has been charged under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, along with Section 152 of the Indian Penal Code.
During her time in custody, officials from both the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) have conducted extensive interrogations.
Links to Pakistani Diplomatic Staff
Authorities claim that Malhotra had established contact with a Pakistani High Commission official named Danish, who had been expelled from India between November 2023 and March 2025. The connection was reportedly made when Malhotra visited the High Commission to apply for a visa to Pakistan.
Other YouTubers Also Under Investigation
Several other Indian content creators are also being questioned in connection with this case. This includes Odisha-based YouTuber Priyanka Senapati, who is said to have accompanied Malhotra during her visit to Puri. Investigators are probing the possibility of a wider network of individuals maintaining connections with Pakistani handlers under the guise of travel vlogging.