A sensational case involving Indian travel vlogger Jyoti Malhotra has taken a deeper turn as police uncovered an alleged WhatsApp chat between her and a Pakistani intelligence officer. The 33-year-old YouTuber, who ran the popular channel Travel with Jo, was recently arrested in Hisar, Haryana, for suspected espionage.
According to sources, Malhotra was in constant contact with Ali Hasan, a man reportedly associated with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the country’s powerful spy agency. Officials said the two communicated frequently, with one chat even showing Malhotra telling Hasan, “Get me married in Pakistan,” pointing towards a possible emotional involvement with the handler.
Coded Messages and Foreign Funds Under Scrutiny
The WhatsApp conversations also reportedly contain encrypted language believed to be connected to sensitive Indian military operations. During their probe, investigators identified four bank accounts held by Jyoti Malhotra. Transactions from Dubai were traced in at least one of these accounts, officials said.
Intelligence agencies are now combing through her financial records to establish the origin and purpose of these international transfers.
Visits to Pakistan and Links to High Commission Official
Malhotra had travelled to Pakistan twice. During these visits, she reportedly came in contact with Rahim, an official from the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi. Sources claim Rahim later introduced her to operatives working for the ISI.
Back in India, Malhotra allegedly stayed in touch with these handlers and passed on sensitive information regarding Indian Army troop movements.
Conflicting Claims by Family
Initially, Malhotra’s father had stated that she visited Pakistan to film travel videos. However, in a recent change of statement, he claimed she had only told the family she was going to Delhi, not across the border.
Wider Espionage Crackdown Underway
Malhotra’s arrest comes amid a wider crackdown on suspected espionage activities linked to Pakistan. Over the past week, Indian agencies have detained several individuals, including a student, a security guard, and a businessman from different parts of Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. The heightened vigilance follows renewed tensions between India and Pakistan.
