Famous Hindu YouTuber ‘Travel with Jo’ Arrested for Spying; Accused of Leaking Sensitive Info to Pakistani Operatives

New Delhi, May 17, 2025 — In a significant breakthrough against cross-border espionage, Indian authorities have arrested six Indian nationals, including a well-known travel blogger from Haryana, for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistani intelligence operatives. The espionage network, which spanned across Haryana and Punjab, involved roles ranging from data informants and financial conduits to agents of influence on social media.

Key Accused: Jyoti Malhotra – “Travel with Jo” Blogger

One of the central figures in the investigation is Jyoti Malhotra, a Haryana-based travel blogger who ran the popular YouTube channel “Travel with Jo.” According to officials, Jyoti travelled to Pakistan in 2023 on a visa procured through commission agents. During her visit, she formed close ties with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a staff member at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.

Danish, who was expelled from India on May 13, 2025, after being declared persona non grata, allegedly introduced Jyoti to multiple Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs). After returning to India, Jyoti reportedly continued her interactions with these operatives via encrypted messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat.

Officials revealed that one operative, Shakir alias Rana Shahbaz, was saved in her contacts as “Jatt Randhawa.” Jyoti is accused of providing intelligence on strategic Indian locations and being used to subtly promote Pakistan in a positive light on social media platforms. The investigation also unearthed evidence of a romantic relationship between Jyoti and a PIO, including a trip together to Bali, Indonesia.

Jyoti has been charged under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923. A written confession has reportedly been obtained, and the case has now been transferred to the Economic Offences Wing, Hisar for further investigation.

Another Key Accused: Guzala from Malerkotla

Another central figure is 32-year-old widow Guzala from Malerkotla, Punjab. She first visited the Pakistan High Commission on February 27, 2025, where she met Danish. Investigators say the two began chatting regularly and soon entered into a romantic relationship online. Danish convinced her to switch from WhatsApp to Telegram for “security reasons” and began sending her money.

On March 7, 2025, Danish transferred Rs 10,000 to Guzala via PhonePe. A second transaction of Rs 20,000 followed on March 23 through Google Pay. He later instructed her to distribute Rs 10,000 to multiple individuals in smaller sums. On April 23, she returned to the High Commission with her friend Banu Nasreena, also a widow from Malerkotla. Both women received visas the next day, allegedly facilitated by Danish.

Other Arrests

• 1. Yameen Mohammad, also from Malerkotla, reportedly assisted Danish with financial transactions and visa-related processes.
• 2. Devinder Singh Dhillon, a Sikh student from Kaithal, Haryana, was allegedly recruited during a pilgrimage to Pakistan. He is accused of recording and sharing videos of Patiala cantonment with Pakistani handlers.
• 3. Arman, a resident of Nuh, Haryana, played a logistical role by supplying Indian SIM cards, transferring money, and even visiting the Defence Expo 2025 at the direction of Pakistani operatives.

Larger Espionage Network Uncovered

According to intelligence officials, this case is part of a broader espionage campaign targeting emotionally or economically vulnerable individuals from different religious and social backgrounds. Operatives used a combination of emotional manipulation, financial inducements, and promises of marriage to ensnare the accused.

Initial confessions have reportedly been obtained from all six individuals, and a larger network is now under scrutiny. Authorities have also hinted at possible links to visa fraud and cross-border hawala transactions.

Further details are expected as the investigation progresses under national security and intelligence agencies.