YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra has admitted to contacting individuals in Pakistan. The investigation has uncovered several names and indications of a foreign network. Agencies are conducting a thorough investigation.
Jyoti Malhotra: Jyoti Malhotra, a resident of Haryana and the operator of the YouTube channel 'Travel With Jo,' is currently under investigation by intelligence agencies. Serious questions are being raised regarding her potential links to a suspected espionage network connected to Pakistan. During questioning, Jyoti stated that in 2023, she visited the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi to obtain a visa to travel to Pakistan, where she met a man named Ahsan-ur-Rehim, also known as Danish.
Contact with Danish and Subsequent Trips to Pakistan
Jyoti admitted to obtaining Danish's mobile number, leading to communication between them. Subsequently, Jyoti made two trips to Pakistan. During these trips, she met Ali Hassan, an acquaintance of Danish, who arranged her accommodation and sightseeing.
Ali Hassan facilitated Jyoti's meetings with Pakistani intelligence officials. There, she met two more individuals, Shakir and Rana Shabaz. She saved Shakir's mobile number in her phone under the name "Jat Radhanwash" to avoid suspicion.
Continued Contact After Returning to India
Even after returning to India, Jyoti maintained contact with these individuals. She used social media platforms like WhatsApp, Snapchat, and Telegram for continuous communication.
Continuous Interrogation in Custody, Deepening Suspicions of Agencies
Jyoti was held in police custody for five days, during which she was interrogated by the NIA, IB, Haryana Police, and military intelligence agencies. The facts revealed during the interrogation have further deepened suspicions that Jyoti may be part of a larger network working to advance Pakistan's agenda in India.
Key Questions Asked
During the investigation, Jyoti was asked some crucial and serious questions, including:
- Was the trip to Pakistan genuinely spiritual or part of a premeditated conspiracy?
- How and through whom did she meet Ahsan Dar?
- Did she receive any financial or digital assistance from Pakistan?
- Was the video shot after the Pulwama attack her own idea or a directive from a Pakistani handler?
Broken Mobile Phone: A Crucial Piece of Evidence
During the interrogation, investigating agencies also recovered a broken mobile phone, which has been sent for forensic examination. This mobile phone could prove to be a major clue in the case, as attempts are being made to recover deleted data from it.
Jyoti to Appear in Court
Jyoti Malhotra will be presented before a Hisar court on Thursday. According to the agencies, after the court appearance, a request may be made to extend her remand to allow for further intensive questioning.
12 Arrested So Far
In this entire case, 12 people have been arrested so far from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh on charges of being involved in an espionage network linked to Pakistan. Agencies suspect this is an organized network operating in northern India, recruiting youth and content creators through social media.
Strict Vigilance by the Government and Agencies
Sumita Mishra, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Haryana, stated that several YouTube channels are under thorough investigation. She mentioned that many such channels repeatedly emerge under new names and spread anti-national content.
The police headquarters and CID teams are maintaining strict surveillance on social media. Immediate action will be taken if any suspicious activity or objectionable links are detected.
