Overview

• A Right to Information reply confirms the Kerala Tourism Department fully funded Jyoti Malhotra’s travel, accommodation and filming as part of its influencer outreach from January 2024 to May 2025.
• Police allege Malhotra maintained contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives, including Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, and arrested her on May 16 under the Official Secrets Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
• Central intelligence agencies have broadened their investigation to determine whether her state-sponsored travel vlogs masked espionage at sensitive sites or facilitated communications with handlers.
• Kerala’s tourism minister asserts that a private agency managed the influencer campaign and denies any government role in vetting Malhotra or foreseeing her alleged espionage.
• Jyoti Malhotra’s judicial custody has been extended until her July 21 hearing as political leaders call for stricter background checks on government-sponsored programmes.