New Delhi: Travel vlogger Jyoti Malhotra who runs a YouTube channel called 'Travel With Jo' was arrested on Saturday for allegedly spying for Pakistan, according to NDTV.
The 33-year-old, hailing from Haryana with 1.37 lakh followers, calls herself in her Instagram bio as ‘Nomadic Leo Girl. Wanderer. Haryanvi + Punjabi modern girl with old ideas’.
Known for her keen interest in bike riding and solo travel, Malhotra travelled extensively in India and visited Pakistan twice alongside her jaunt to Bhutan, Indonesia, and China.
Her vlog content from Pakistan reportedly attracted the attention of Indian authorities.
She posted videos and reels about places in Pakistan including from her visit to Lahore's Anarkali Bazaar, Katas Raj Temple, and a bus journey across the country about two months ago.
In one content on Instagram captioned as ‘Ishq (love) Lahore’ she compared Indian and Pakistani culture and the neighbouring country’s cuisine.
Jyoti Malhotra arranged visa for her first visit to Pakistan through Commission agents thus coming in contact with an official at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish.
It is reported that Malhotra went on developing close ties with Rahim who subsequently introduced her to Pakistani intelligence operatives.
Malhotra who is accused of sharing Indian Army movement and location details, continued to be in contact with these handlers even after returning to India.
She was reportedly hosted by Rahim's associate, Ali Ahwan during her visit to Pakistan.
She travelled to Kashmir in 2024, and uploaded visuals of Dal Lake and the Srinagar-Banihal railway route.
She is reported to have formed intimate relationship with one Pakistani operative and travelled with him to Bali, Indonesia.
She was arrested following India’s Operation Sindoor targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Rahim, the official at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, was declared persona non grata and expelled him from India on May 13 for espionage.