Jyoti Malhotra, a famous travel blogger and YouTuber with millions of followers in India, has been arrested for alleged anti-national activities and links with Pakistan's intelligence agencies. She runs a channel named 'Travel with Jo' and formed connections with ISI agents during her trip to Pakistan. So far, six individuals connected to various regions of Haryana and Punjab have been arrested in this case.
In 2023, Jyoti Malhotra traveled to Pakistan with a visa arranged through a commission. During this visit, she met Ehsan-ur-Rahim, aka Danish, an employee of the Pakistan High Commission, leading to close relations. Danish introduced her to other Pakistani intelligence agents, including Ali Ahsan and Shakir, aka Rana Shahbaz, who was saved as 'Jatt Randhawa' in her phone.
Conversation Through Encrypted Apps
Jyoti stayed in touch with these agents via WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat, not only portraying a positive image of Pakistan on social media but also sharing sensitive information.
Source: aajtak
Jyoti is among the six arrested individuals following intelligence reports, which led to the sharing of crucial information with Pakistani intelligence officials. She was introduced to Pakistani intelligence officers (PIOs) by Danish and his associate Ali Ahsan, who arranged her stay in Pakistan and established close relations, even accompanying one officer to Bali, Indonesia, recently.
Allegations persist that Jyoti shared sensitive information related to Indian sites and stayed in contact with PHC handler Danish during her time in Delhi. A written confession has been recorded, and a case has been filed against her.
On May 13, 2025, Ehsan-ur-Rahim, aka Danish, was declared an undesirable person by the Government of India and ordered to leave the country. Jyoti was tasked with portraying a positive image of Pakistan on social media, which Pakistan utilized for propaganda and espionage activities against India.
This entire case unveils a broader espionage operation involving Jyoti and five other Indian citizens from districts like Hisar, Kaithal, Nuh (Haryana), and Malerkotla (Punjab), who acted as agents or financial conduits for Pakistani intelligence officers and PHC employees.
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The Government of India declared Danish 'persona non grata' on May 13, 2025, ordering him to leave the country. A case has been registered against Jyoti Malhotra under IPC Section 152 and the Official Secrets Act, 1923, Sections 3, 4, and 5. The Economic Offences Wing Hisar has been tasked with investigating the matter.
Uncovering a Major Espionage Network
This revelation not only implicates Jyoti but also exposes a vast network involving individuals from various districts of Punjab and Haryana. The accused were either connected with Pakistani agents or acted as financial intermediaries.
The arrested individuals include 32-year-old Ghazala, involved in financial transactions with Danish and aiding in visa processes. Another individual, Yameen Mohammed, assisted Danish through hawala and other means. Devinder Singh Dhillon from Kaithal, Haryana, was also arrested, having come into contact with Pakistani agents during a Pakistan visit, sending videos of Patiala Cantt to them.
Additionally, Armaan, a local Muslim youth from Nuh, Haryana, was arrested for providing Indian SIM cards and visiting the Defense Expo site in 2025 under Pakistani agents' instructions. The government and agencies plan to intensify monitoring and investigation of suspicious activities on social media platforms.
Beyond Jyoti: Punjab's Ghazala Involved Too
Ghazala from Punjab is another woman ensnared by Pakistani intelligence in sending money to sources. A widow from Malerkotla, Punjab, she completed her 10th grade from Islamic Girls School Malerkotla in 2010 and 12th grade in 2012. She married Imran Rana, son of Mohammad Shakeel Ahmad, from Mohalla Choramara Malerkotla, on April 23, 2018, but her husband passed away on March 22, 2020, due to a heart attack.
Ghazala applied for a Pakistani visa at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on February 27, 2025, and met PHC official Danish, exchanging numbers. She returned to Malerkotla, but Danish initiated communication, leading to frequent interactions via video calls and chats. Ghazala fell in love with Danish, who promised marriage.
Sometime later, Danish advised Ghazala to switch from WhatsApp to Telegram for chatting, citing the former's lack of security. On March 7, 2025, Danish sent Ghazala 10,000 Rupees via PhonePe for personal expenses, followed by another 20,000 Rupees on March 23, 2025. Danish asked Ghazala to distribute 10,000 Rupees among some individuals. Trusting him, Ghazala complied, transferring amounts of 1,800, 899, 699, and 3,000 Rupees to the mentioned individuals.
On April 23, 2025, Ghazala applied for another Pakistani visa at the PHC in New Delhi, accompanied by her friend Banu Nasrina, wife of the late Abdul Feroz of Mohalla Mahtewala Malerkotla. Ghazala met Danish again, who assured her of visa assistance for Pakistan. She returned to Malerkotla the same day, receiving her visa the following day.
