Overview

• Jyoti Malhotra, a YouTuber with over 3.87 lakh subscribers, was arrested on May 16 under espionage charges for alleged links with Pakistani intelligence operatives.
• Her police custody was extended by four days on May 22 to facilitate ongoing forensic analysis of her electronic devices and financial transactions.
• Investigators allege Malhotra was in contact with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, a Pakistani High Commission official expelled for espionage, and other operatives since 2023.
• Authorities have not found evidence linking her to terrorist groups or military-related information, but the investigation is part of a broader crackdown on a suspected spy network in northern India.
• Malhotra reportedly visited Pakistan twice, creating travel content, while allegedly being groomed as an intelligence asset by Pakistani handlers.