On Monday, July 7, Jyoti Malhotra, accused of spying for Pakistan, appeared in court. Her judicial remand was extended by two weeks. During this period, we met with her lawyer Kumar Mukesh, who outlined several points defending her innocence.
'Jyoti was arrested by Hisar police on May 17. After a 9-day remand, she has been in judicial custody. The police have 90 days to file a challan. If they fail, my client will receive default bail. As it stands, the entire FIR seems unconstitutional. The FIR includes Jyoti's own testimony against herself, which legally shouldn't be possible.'
Meanwhile, Jyoti's father shares, 'My daughter has endured a lot of sorrow. She was only two and a half when her mother abandoned her in a nursery. She has been through so much, and post-Covid, even her job vanished. Then she started making videos, finding a rhythm, until the police came for her. Neighbors who once welcomed her now call her a spy and vagabond. Even if she returns clean, her name remains stained.'
Harish, Jyoti's father, shows us her room, moving slowly as if worn down by distance rather than time. Souvenirs from her travels adorn the fridge, but nothing marks her home as that of a glamorous blogger's. When asked how many countries his daughter has visited and if she brought anything back, he replies, 'Once she brought back a cake from Pakistan.' He seems unaware of the commotion this Pakistani cake caused.
Source: aajtak
Finding Jyoti's home was not difficult. Even without a map, we managed. The outer wall bore a plaque reading 'Malhotra's Mansion,' with initials including a 'J' for Jyoti. At the sound of the bell, a face peers from behind the gate, irritable, inquiring our business.
'We've come from Delhi,' we explain, only to receive an angry reply. 'I don't care who you are, coming from Delhi! Must I offer you food and drink too?' After some bickering, the gate finally opens, revealing Jyoti's father—Harish Malhotra.
While venting his frustration, he shares, 'Life became unbearable with the crowds from Delhi standing outside, calling Jyoti a spy, a traitor. Our small mobile kept ringing non-stop, pushing me to a point where I ended up on saline. Since then, I haven't opened the door easily.'
How often have you seen Jyoti? I visit every Tuesday when she is incarcerated, and she calls daily. I converse for about 5 minutes, and her uncle for another. Sometimes she contacts her lawyer.
Why do you think her name surfaced more than any other YouTuber? Even we're puzzled as to why she's being framed. Despite finding nothing substantial, they won't let her go. They confiscated her laptop, phone, bank documents—everything, even an old discarded phone. They even took my scooter and paperwork.
Source: aajtak
Showing a notebook, Harish recalls, 'The police came with a vanload on May 15, inspected everything, and took what seemed necessary. They told Jyoti to report the next morning, and since then, she's been in jail. Till yesterday, relatives who shared her videos have cut off communication. Calls to her brother yield strange sounds, but no conversation follows. Neighbors refuse to engage anymore, some branding her a vagrant.'
What does Jyoti herself say? What can she say! She's fearless. Asserts, 'Dad, I'm innocent. My videos are out there; that's all.' There's nothing ulterior.'
Your daughter visited Pakistan regularly, didn't she? Yes, but she never told me. She simply mentioned going to Delhi. I assured her, go where you want but don't bring disgrace on me. Had I known, would I let her visit an enemy country?!'
There's talk of family ties in Pakistan? Pausing, Harish responds, 'I wouldn't know. My aunt once mentioned such in a video before she passed, but beyond that, I'm clueless.' Jyoti traveled extensively, wearing new clothes in the videos! Did you ever question how this was happening?
Source: aajtak
Confronted, Harish seems lost, then confesses, 'Our household survives on my brother's pension. Jyoti earned for herself, never asked us. As for clothes, I did inquire. She explained, 'Dad, I send them back after one wear. They don't hold any value that way.' Unintentionally revealing, Harish transitions to wedding conversations, recounting tales from over a decade ago. 'I lived in Jawahar Nagar then. One morning, Jyoti's mother took her and left her in a nursery. The two-and-a-half-year-old stayed three days unattended. Upon hearing, I rushed there, and she clung to me crying. Been raising her ever since. Suggested marriage years ago, but hiccups persisted. Finally, I gave up, fearing she'd do something rash.' While conversing, a woman enters. Softly, Harish quips, 'That's the domestic help. She manages everything.' Tears edge his voice as he adds, 'I worry about Jyoti's meals in jail, so I credited her card: first two, then five thousand. Eat as she wishes. She didn't request anything except for a plate, pot, and glass.'
Continuing, Harish laments future prospects, predicting inquisitions about her jail time whenever marriage proposals arise.
Promising discretion, we glimpse Jyoti's room. Above the bed, a smiling photo of Jyoti hangs beside a YouTube Silver Play Button. Posters resembling college hostel decor—such as, 'You have only four days for drinking...'—dot the walls. Jyoti's presence resonates like a phantom limb, felt in every corner. Her father speaks her name. Her uncle inquires about her well-being. Neighbors nod with familiarity upon seeing new faces.
Source: aajtak
Meeting with Jyoti's lawyer, Kumar Mukesh presents, 'My client has been remanded twice since May 17. Judicial custody continues to extend. We've applied for bail; police responded claiming pending analysis of Jyoti’s digital data.' 'On inspection, the FIR appears unconstitutional. The FIR omits any source for police input. Attributing allegations to my client, claiming travel to Pakistan and espionage. This contradicts the Indian Constitution's Article 20 which protects against self-incrimination—a glaring lapse as it made Jyoti implicate herself.'
If it's such a crucial issue, why isn't bail granted? Ultimately, I believe, it will be. Post 90-day investigation, police must submit the chargesheet or default bail grants Jyoti's release. Either the chargesheet may lack substantial evidence, or police themselves may issue a cancellation report—acknowledging insufficient evidence.
If so, might your client pursue a defamation suit? That's entirely Jyoti's prerogative. Without proof, her character was publicly maligned and accused of treason. Connections implied with others... all baseless... grounds for defamation.
Comments on Jyoti's luxurious lifestyle and ties with Danish? Embracing luxury isn't synonymous with espionage. Her profession dictated her presence in opulent surroundings—foreign firms invited her for promotions. She collaborated with the railways. The state government invited her numerous times for promotional purposes. These trips were sponsored. Her association with Danish—situated at the Pakistan Embassy—was typical. Many approached him for visas. She met him, too. Post-Danish's 'persona non grata' status on May 13, Jyoti maintained no contact.'
Source: aajtak
Still, another perspective exists. Although police acknowledge no criminal organization or terrorist activity linked to Jyoti, suspicions linger due to her associations with those suspected as Pakistani operatives. Advocate Kumar Mukesh continues identifying aspects of the case.
'The FIR charges Jyoti under the Official Secrets Act (OSA), applicable when someone is accused of obtaining or distributing national intelligence. However, Hisar's SP issued a press note declaring no evidence of her accessing military or sensitive information. Absence of secret access nullifies OSA application.'
'Allegations of treason are also present. We object here as well. Jyoti’s Pakistan visits trace back to 2023, indicating the crime began then. Despite this, police applied BNS section 152. Legally, sections correlate to when crimes transpire. Thus, IPC's section 124-A—which the Supreme Court suspended in 2022—should apply. Technically, treason allegations don't stand.'
Detailing case nuances over the phone, Investigation Officer Nirmala states, 'The probe remains ongoing. Hearings recur every 14 days. Conclusions draw from completed investigations, alongside filed challans.'
Meanwhile, an official observing Hisar's proceedings posits, 'Perhaps, Jyoti, unknowingly, became a pawn. Her aspirations tempted her, and circumstances facilitated access. Unwittingly, she may not perceive alignment with a rival narrative isn't merely talk, particularly at critical junctures.'
While researching, reports surfaced that Jyoti received Kerala Tourism's invitation last year, prompting uproar. BJP critiqued the state for welcoming an alleged spy. Defending actions, Kerala’s Tourism Minister, P.A. Mohammed Riyas, clarified that multiple bloggers including Jyoti were invited for promotional purposes.'
