Indian Vlogger Jyoti Malhotra Espionage Case:
Is Jyoti Malhotra really a Pakistani spy, or is there more to the story? Even three days after her arrest on May 16, no classified information or electronic evidence surfaced proving her as a Pakistani spy. Evidence did emerge of her friendship with a Pakistani embassy employee. Did she fall prey to the trap of likes, subscribers, and views? Let's uncover the whole story.
A plethora of social media, especially YouTube, vlogs of Jyoti Malhotra exist. Currently, she stands accused of being a Pakistani spy. The allegation ties her to Ehsan Ur Rahim, alias Danish, from the Pakistani Embassy in New Delhi, who was expelled on May 13 for espionage. Jyoti's ties with him reportedly took her to Pakistan twice. According to the FIR filed in Hisar, Danish introduced her to three more Pakistani Intelligence Officers (PIO) in Pakistan: Ali Ahwan, Shakir, and Rana Shahbaz.
The burning question is, did Jyoti ever share any sensitive information or documents with these diplomats that could categorize her as a spy or traitor? And if so, what was the nature and gravity of that information? Let’s hear from Hisar's SP to answer this.
Source: aajtak
Shashank Kumar, SP of Hisar, stated that Jyoti Malhotra was arrested on May 16, with an FIR timing at 11:20 PM. His statement on camera, two days post her arrest (May 18), insisted there's no evidence of any information passed by Jyoti. He underscored that any information transfer would require known information. It's highlighted that Jyoti's electronic devices, including laptops and mobile, are under investigation.
So is Jyoti innocent? Is she not a spy, nor involved with Pakistani diplomat Danish? Could her visits to Pakistan, meeting with three PIOs, and being in touch with Danish be platonic? Facts confirm her two trips and connection with Danish. Yet, whether she passed sensitive Indian information to Pakistan remains to be seen.
Possibly unknowingly or under temptation, Jyoti might have become an instrument for Pakistani spies, using her travel vlog 'Travel with Jo' to subtly expose crucial locations of India to the public. If true, even a glimpse of her travel vlogs might not reveal much. But through a spy's eyes, these vlogs cover various parts of India.
Source: aajtak
Her camera lens encapsulated not only the India-Pakistan border but also lives and pathways near it, new train routes from Telangana to Delhi, bus routes from Delhi to Mumbai, and more. These visuals, rewound in Pakistan, could undoubtedly yield valuable intel. However, if creating such content aids Pakistan or criticizes Indian security to favor Pakistan, countless YouTubers or vloggers do likewise.
Yet, Jyoti's story transcends videos. What adds complexity is her deep friendship with Danish, embassy employee of a diplomat warned by every Indian to be cautious about. Jyoti, being educated, aware of the consequences of using communication apps like WhatsApp, Snapchat, or Telegram with a Pakistani.
Her first trip to Pakistan was for the Baisakhi Festival in April 2023. Supported by the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee’s Harkiter Singh, she gained a Pakistani visa at the New Delhi Embassy, where she first met Danish. Rapidly, a friendship blossomed. Post the 14-day visit, they remained in contact.
Source: aajtak
In 2024, during the same festival, she gained another visa, visiting from April 17 to May 25, with visa extension orchestrated by Danish. Her second trip involved introductions to three PIO agents, who managed her stay and amenities.
After her extended stay, alerting intelligence, her subsequent trip to China placed her under scrutiny. This was followed by several international travels, including Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Dubai, Thailand, and Indonesia.
In November 2024, she visited Kashmir again, producing videos in Pahalgam. Post-attack, she even questioned the Indian government and security agencies over tourist safety. Hailing from Hisar, her father, Harish Kumar, is astounded by the news, having retired from the Haryana Electricity Department.
Source: aajtak
Jyoti boasts nearly 375,000 YouTube subscribers and around 140,000 Instagram followers. Experts believe vloggers like her may inadvertently benefit adversary nations without accessing classified material through videos or images of border zones, bridges, airports, roads, or other sensitive edifices.
Influencers or vloggers with extensive followings often possess easy access to sensitive locations and high-ranking departmental connections. Reactions and opinions from their audiences can give adversary nations a slice of public sentiment. Thus, these individuals, unintentionally, render significant services to espionage entities, irrespective of direct ties. The ultimate truth about Jyoti's case, rooted in the electronic examination, will gradually unfold. Is she genuinely a Pakistani spy, or merely maneuvering for personal gain?
