Indian YouTuber Arrested for Allegedly Spying for Pakistan

Police in India have arrested a popular travel YouTuber, Jyoti Malhotra, on suspicion of spying for Pakistan. Malhotra, who hails from Haryana, is known for her travel videos and has a large online following, over 377,000 subscribers on YouTube and 133,000 followers on Instagram.

According to police, she had traveled to Pakistan several times, with her most recent visit in March 2025. Authorities say she was in contact with a Pakistani official from the High Commission in Delhi who was recently expelled for alleged spying activities.

Police claim she also maintained contact with other Pakistani citizens and intelligence operatives, raising concerns about her activities. They are also investigating whether she had any links to a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, although she is not believed to have had direct access to military or defense information.

What has raised eyebrows further is the lavish nature of her international travels, to countries like China, UAE, and Thailand, despite her unclear income sources. Police suspect her trips to Pakistan may have been sponsored.

Her father denies the accusations, stating she only traveled after receiving official permissions. Her social media shows visits to temples, local markets, and interactions with people in Pakistan — not anything that seems suspicious on the surface.

The arrest comes amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Earlier in May, India carried out strikes inside Pakistan following a deadly attack on tourists in Kashmir. After several days of military tension, both countries agreed to a ceasefire on 10 May, brokered by US President Donald Trump.

Spying arrests between India and Pakistan aren’t new, but Jyoti Malhotra’s case has captured public attention due to her influencer status and frequent cross-border travels. Investigations are ongoing.