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Espionage Allegations Against Jyoti Malhotra

In Chandigarh, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Haryana Police has submitted a comprehensive chargesheet, spanning nearly 2,500 pages, to a Hisar court against YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who was apprehended on espionage allegations linked to Pakistan.

The document asserts that substantial evidence has been collected to support claims of her involvement in espionage activities.

Malhotra was taken into custody on May 16, under suspicion of espionage, and has remained in detention since.

The chargesheet indicates that she allegedly transmitted sensitive information to Pakistani agents over an extended period and had consistent communication with them.

Initially, she operated as a typical YouTuber, creating blogs and content, but during a trip to Pakistan, she reportedly connected with intelligence operatives.

A digital forensic analysis of her mobile device uncovered extensive dialogues with Ehsan-ur-Rahim Danish Ali, an official at the Pakistani High Commission in India.

The chargesheet also highlights her associations with ISI agents, including Shakir, Hasan Ali, and Nasir Dhillon. In response, her attorney, Kumar Mukesh, stated they would legally address the charges after reviewing the document. The next court session is scheduled for August 18.

As per the initial report, Malhotra visited the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi in 2023, where she met Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish, a staff member.

She is accused of leaking sensitive information about Indian locations and was allegedly utilized to enhance Pakistan's image on social media.

Danish, who was declared persona non grata and expelled by the Indian government on May 13, introduced her to various intelligence agents in Pakistan.

Investigators also claim she developed a personal relationship with an intelligence operative and traveled to Bali, Indonesia, with him.

Malhotra, who operated a YouTube channel titled 'Travel with Jo', has been charged under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), based on a statement from Sub-Inspector Bijender Singh at the Civil Lines Police Station in Hisar.