Latest news with #Hisar-based
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Jyoti Malhotra hires senior advocate, to appear in court on June 9
Hisar-based YouTuber and travel blogger Jyoti Malhotra, who is currently in 14-day judicial custody over alleged links with Pakistani intelligence operatives, has appointed senior advocate Kumar Mukesh to represent her in court. She was initially remanded to police custody and later sent to judicial custody by a Hisar court on May 26. Her next court appearance is scheduled for June 9. Malhotra, 33, was arrested on May 16 on charges of espionage and sharing sensitive information with foreign operatives. Speaking to Hindustan Times over the phone, advocate Kumar Mukesh confirmed that Malhotra's father, Harish Malhotra, had reached out to him last week. He visited Jyoti in Hisar Central Jail on Wednesday and discussed the case with her. 'I have filed an application seeking all case-related documents from the police,' said Mukesh. 'We expect to receive the documents within three to four days. Once we review them, we will move a regular bail application. Jyoti had valid visas for her trips to Pakistan and other countries, and at first glance, the evidence against her seems insufficient to substantiate the espionage charges.' Mukesh also appealed to the media to refrain from labelling Malhotra a 'spy' before a charge sheet is filed and the court delivers its verdict. 'Jyoti has told me the police treated her respectfully, and she has fully cooperated during interrogation,' he added. Previously, Malhotra was represented in court by Defense Legal Aid Counsel (DLAC) lawyers Jogmani Sharma, Deepak, and Nitin. Her father Harish reiterated her innocence and expressed trust in the legal system. 'My daughter is innocent and confident that justice will prevail. She told me not to worry and assured me she hasn't done anything that would compromise the nation's sovereignty,' Harish said. 'I've given her more clothes in jail. We're placing our hopes in her new lawyer to present a strong case.' Meanwhile, Hisar police spokesperson Vikas Kumar stated that the investigation has so far uncovered over 12 terabytes of digital data from Malhotra's three mobile phones and laptop. 'Forensic analysis revealed private chats with at least four individuals identified as Pakistani intelligence operatives (PIOs), suspected financial transactions, and signs of VIP treatment during her visit to Pakistan. The data is still under examination,' Kumar said. Malhotra has been charged under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Raj employeedetained onsuspicion ofspying for ISI
Jaisalmer: A state govt employee was detained Wednesday in Rajasthan on suspicion of spying for Pakistan's spy agency ISI amid a widening crackdown on espionage networks across the country after Op Sindoor. Sakur Khan Mangaliyar, employed with the state's employment department, was picked up by a joint team of CID and intelligence agencies from his office in Jaisalmer. Mangaliyar is expected to be transferred to Jaipur for further questioning. Authorities are also probing a suspected connection between Mangaliyar and a senior Congress politician from the border region. Security agencies have withheld comment on political links. Sources said Mangaliyar served as a personal assistant to a Congress functionary during the previous Congress-led state govt. Mangaliyar, a resident of Mangaliya's Dhani in Baroda village near the Pakistan border, had been under surveillance for several weeks. Investigators found multiple Pakistani phone numbers in his mobile device and reported that he could not provide credible explanations. He also admitted to traveling to Pakistan at least seven times in recent years, raising further concerns. SP Sudhir Chaudhary said the inquiry began following alerts from "higher headquarters" over suspicious activities. "We are verifying all facts and conducting an inquiry," he added. Though no military-related photos or videos were found on his phone, officials said several files had been deleted. Two bank accounts under his name are currently under scrutiny. Intelligence sources revealed possible links between Mangaliyar and an official in Pakistan's embassy, suggesting coordination with ISI handlers. His detention follows a string of arrests across Punjab and Haryana connected to spying for Pakistan. Since May 7, when India launched Op Sindoor in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, at least seven suspects have been arrested in espionage-related cases in the two states. Among them is Hisar-based travel vlogger Jyoti Malhotra, accused of passing sensitive data to Pakistani handlers. On May 11, Punjab police arrested two people in Malerkotla. Haryana police detained two on May 13 and May 15. Two people working inside Bathinda military station were held on May 7 and May 14 on similar charges.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Rajasthan government staff, linked to Congress neta, held for spying for ISI
Photo/Agencies JAISALMER: A state government employee was detained on Wednesday in Rajasthan on suspicion of spying for Pakistan's spy agency ISI amid a widening crackdown on espionage networks across the country after Operation Sindoor. Sakur Khan Mangaliyar, employed with the state's employment department, was picked up by a joint team of CID and intelligence agencies from his office in Jaisalmer. Mangaliyar is expected to be transferred to Jaipur for further questioning. Authorities are also probing a suspected connection between Mangaliyar and a senior Congress politician from the border region. Security agencies have withheld comment on political links. Sources said Mangaliyar served as a personal assistant to a Congress functionary during the previous Congress-led state govt. Mangaliyar, a resident of Mangaliya's Dhani in Baroda village near the Pakistan border, had been under surveillance for several weeks. Investigators found multiple Pakistani phone numbers in his mobile device and reported that he could not provide credible explanations. He also admitted to traveling to Pakistan at least seven times in recent years, raising further concerns. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo SP Sudhir Chaudhary said the inquiry began following alerts from "higher headquarters" over suspicious activities. "We are verifying all facts and conducting an inquiry," he added. Though no military-related photos or videos were found on his phone, officials said several files had been deleted. Two bank accounts under his name are currently under scrutiny. Intelligence sources revealed possible links between Mangaliyar and an official in Pakistan's embassy, suggesting coordination with ISI handlers. His detention follows a string of arrests across Punjab and Haryana connected to spying for Pakistan. Since May 7, when India launched Operation Sindoor in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, at least seven suspects have been arrested in espionage-related cases in the two states. Among them is Hisar-based travel vlogger Jyoti Malhotra, accused of passing sensitive data to Pakistani handlers. On May 11, Punjab police arrested two people in Malerkotla. Haryana police detained two on May 13 and May 15. Two people working inside Bathinda military station were held on May 7 and May 14 on similar charges.
Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
GMDA serves notice to contractor for delay in repair of 13 key roads
The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has issued a formal notice to a Hisar-based contractor for delaying special repair works on 13 key roads in the city, despite repeated verbal reminders. The authority has also warned of invoking liquidated damages as per the contract clause if the contractor fails to accelerate the pace of work. The special repair ₹25-crore project was awarded in December 2023 and is slated for completion by mid-August this year. However, GMDA officials say progress has been unsatisfactory across all project sites. 'The work on these roads will be expedited and action will be initiated if the pace of work is not accelerated,' a senior GMDA official said, requesting anonymity. GMDA officials clarified that liquidated damages are typically levied to compensate for losses from delays or non-performance and can be calculated as a percentage of contract value or operational expenditure. A notice dated May 21, issued by the GMDA, sub-divisional engineer, read: 'Despite numerous verbal requests, though you have started the work on one of the roads under your agreement, the pace of work is far beyond satisfaction. It could attract further liquidated damages as per clause agreement. You are hereby again directed to increase the pace of work by increasing the machinery at site and on plant. You are hereby also warned for quality of workmanship.' The 13 roads under repair include the sector dividing road of Sectors 23/23A, Sector 18/19 road, Mahavir Chowk to Atul Kataria Chowk, road dividing Sector 15 Part 1 and Part 2, New Railway Road, Old Railway Road, Civil Lines Road, Sector 9/9A, Krishna Chowk to Rezangla Chowk, Sector 5/6, Sector 22/23, Sector 7/8, and Sector 21/22. Residents, especially from Old Gurugram, say the poor condition of these roads is disrupting daily life. 'The roads in Old Gurugram must be repaired on priority and the authority must initiate action for delay in repair of city roads,' said Kumar Thakur, a resident of Sheetla Colony.
Mint
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
‘Spy' YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra grilled by MP Police over Mahakaleshwar Temple visit: What we know so far
Jyoti Malhotra, the YouTuber who was arrested on suspicion of espionage in Haryana, was questioned by the Madhya Pradesh Police on Friday over her visit to the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain. However, nothing incriminating came out during the questioning, an official said was quoted by news agency PTI as saying on Friday. Jyoti Malhotra has been accused of spying for Pakistan. The 33-year-old content creator and social media influencer is currently in the custody of police in Hisar, Haryana. A Madhya Pradesh police team grilled the YouTuber in Haryana on Friday after it received the information that she had visited the famous Mahakaleshwar Temple — dedicated to Lord Shiva in the ancient holy city of Ujjain — in April last year. The YouTuber had put out photos and videos on different social media platform, and police had information that she came to Mahakal Temple for darshan in April last year, said the officer. The team questioned her but "nothing incriminating or suspicious about her visit to the temple has come out", Ujjain Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Nitesh Bhargava told PTI over the phone. "The place is very sensitive and sees a huge number of footfalls daily, including devotees from overseas. So it was important to grill her. We took suo motu [on its own motion] action to send a team to Hisar [where she is being grilled by different agencies]," he added. "She stood in the queue like common devotees and had the darshan of the deity," the ASP said. "We have not got any suspicious things (in connection to her Ujjain visit) as of now. It [questioning] was just our precautionary exercise. What was the harm in it?," Bhargava asked. Malhotra was among the 12 people arrested from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh over the past two weeks on suspicion of espionage, with investigators suspecting the presence of a Pakistan-linked spy network operating in north India. Hisar-based Malhotra, who ran a YouTube channel titled 'Travel with JO', was arrested from the New Aggarsain Extension on May 16. She was booked under the relevant sections of the Official Secrets Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), according to police. On May 22, a Haryana court had extended the police remand of content creator and social media influencer Jyoti Malhotra by four days. Hisar police had then reportedly said that no evidence had emerged to indicate Malhotra had access to any military- or defence-related information. "But she was definitely in contact with some people, knowing that they were Pakistani intelligence operatives," they had said. Police sources told news agency PTI that she was in touch with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a staffer at the Pakistani High Commission, since November 2023. India expelled Danish on May 13 for allegedly indulging in espionage. Police sent Malhotra's three mobile phones and a laptop for forensic examination. Malhotra's four bank accounts are also being analysed. The National Investigation Agency, Intelligence Bureau, and military intelligence officials have also questioned Malhotra. Investigations reportedly revealed that she visited Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, and some other countries. Police said earlier that Pakistani intelligence operatives were developing Malhotra as an asset.
