Indian YouTuber arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan
Police in India have arrested a local YouTuber, Jyoti Malhotra on suspicion of spying for Pakistan.
Jyoti Malhotra, a travel influencer and a YouTuber from the northern Indian state of Haryana describes herself on social media as a “modern girl with old ideas”, and has 377,000 subscribers on YouTube and 133,000 followers on Instagram. She allegedly travelled to the neighbouring country several times and her last trip was in March 2025.
Her arrest comes after the Indian government asked the Pakistan High Commission official Ahsan-ur-Rahim, with whom the YouTuber was alleged to have been in contact, to leave the country on 13 May, alleging he had indulged in activities “not in keeping with his official status in India”.
Pakistan also asked an Indian embassy staff member in Islamabad to leave for indulging in activities “incompatible” with his privileged status.
According to a complaint registered by the police, Ms Malhotra met Ahsan-ur-Rahim for the first time in 2023 when she had visited the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, seeking a visa to visit the neighbouring country.
Her last video on Pakistan was uploaded in March, in which she was seen in the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi attending a Ramadan dinner.
In other videos from Pakistan, she is seen visiting Hindu and Sikh temples, famous local markets, and interacting with locals.
Police in Haryana allege that she was in touch with Ahsan-ur-Rahim who was expelled earlier this month.
The YouTuber’s father has denied allegations that she was a spy, saying she went to Pakistan after acquiring necessary permissions.
But officers have questioned how she financed her travel around the globe, with her videos documenting visits to places like Bangladesh, China, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Indonesia.
Police claim Ms Malhotra was in touch with “Pakistani intelligence operatives” and had continuous contact with a Pakistani citizen.
Ms Malhotra is also being investigated for any links with the Pahalgam attack, Shashank Kumar Sawan, the superintendent of police in Haryana’s Hisar district, told ANI news agency.
They say they have leads on others who may have collaborated with the influencer, who does not have direct access to any military or defence information.
“She was in touch with other YouTube influencers… She used to go to Pakistan on sponsored trips,” Mr Sawan added.
Arrests in India and Pakistan over allegations of spying are not uncommon.
