Latest news with #TravelwithJo
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First Post
27-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Did Jyoti Malhotra know her Pakistani contacts had ISI links? What her laptop data revealed
Haryana Police is currently examining the digital trail of YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who is currently under arrest for allegedly spying for Pakistan. The forensic analysis of data obtained from her laptop and mobile phones has unveiled some shocking revelations about her links with Pakistani intelligence operatives read more 'Spy' YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra was in direct contact with at least four Pakistani intelligence agents and spoke to them one-on-one. Image courtesy: YouTube/TravelwithJo Haryana Police is currently examining the digital trail of 'spy' YouTuber , who is currently under arrest for allegedly spying for Pakistan. The 33-year-old travel vlogger was taken into custody earlier this month after intelligence agencies raised concerns over her frequent visits to Pakistan and her close interactions with officials from the Pakistan High Commission. She is now in 14-day judicial custody. During the probe, police recovered a staggering 13 terabytes of data from her five mobile phones and laptop. And now, the forensic analysis of that data has unveiled some shocking revelations about her links with Pakistani intelligence operatives. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here's what's come to light so far. According to a report by NDTV, Malhotra knew that the Pakistani officials she was in touch with worked with Inter-Services Intelligence, Pakistan's notorious spy agency. Yet, she showed no hesitation or fear while engaging with them. Sources told the outlet that Malhotra was in direct contact with at least four Pakistani intelligence agents and spoke to them one-on-one. These contacts reportedly included individuals named Danish, Ahsan, and Shahid. The Pakistani operatives reportedly provided her with 'special treatment' during her visit to Pakistan, a senior police official told the Hindustan Times, further saying that she was fully aware of their positions, including involvement in intelligence. Security agencies have uncovered that YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra was in touch with three Pakistani intelligence officers during Operation Sindoor. Image courtesy: YouTube/@TravelwithJo Authorities are now working to identify the exact designations and roles these Pakistani agents held within the country's security establishment. Following her arrest, Malhotra reportedly admitted that she had been in touch with a Pakistani officer named Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish. She had first met him at the Pakistan High Commission while applying for a visa to visit the country. Danish was expelled by India earlier this month. He was declared persona non grata after being linked to intelligence leaks in Punjab and engaging in activities that violated diplomatic protocols. The clip gained attention since it features the YouTuber meeting Danish, an official at the Pakistan High Commission, along with a few other officials. Image: News18 Besides Danish, NDTV sources had earlier revealed that Malhotra was in frequent contact with Ali Hasan, a handler working for ISI. Officials said the two were in regular communication, with investigators trying to retrieve WhatsApp chats between them. In one such message, Malhotra had reportedly told Hasan, 'Get me married in Pakistan,' indicating a possible emotional connection with him and Islamabad. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Heavy security accompanied Malhotra during Pakistan visit In one of her two-month-old videos uploaded on her YouTube channel Travel with Jo, Jyoti Malhotra can be seen under unusually tight security during her visit to Pakistan. Throughout the video, armed men carrying AK-47 rifles shadow her movements, escorting her wherever she goes. Jyoti Malhotra can be seen under unusually tight security during her visit to Pakistan. Throughout the video, armed men carrying AK-47 rifles shadow her movements, escorting her wherever she goes. Image courtesy: YouTube/@TravelWithJo While en route to the Valmiki Mandir in Lahore, Malhotra is seen conversing with a security officer, who remarks, 'A special door at Shahi Qila (Lahore Fort) was opened for you. It is the oldest door there. Now that you are here, do visit Anarkali Bazar (also in Lahore).' As she approached the temple, the streets were heavily manned with security forces dressed in green and black jackets. At one point, some personnel appeared to block off traffic on one end of the road—something Malhotra herself described as a 'chakka jam.' Vehicles stopped to allow her to cross. Interestingly, the same guards—some wearing 'No Fear' jackets—also made an appearance in a video by Scottish YouTuber Callum Mills. In the clip, Mills expressed shock at seeing the heavy security detail around Malhotra in Anarkali Bazar. 'Look at all the guns she has got surrounding her. There's about six gunmen surrounding her,' he said, adding that such a presence made the area appear unsafe. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The kind of security Malhotra received has now come under scrutiny. Haryana Police are investigating who authorised the armed protection, especially since the men in the Anarkali footage weren't in uniform and may have been plainclothes officers. Earlier, authorities raised concerns over how she financed these trips, indicating that they may have been sponsored. 'Her known income sources do not justify her foreign travel. We suspect external funding. On the surface, she was just a travel blogger,' said Hisar Superintendent of Police Shashank Kumar Sawan during a press briefing. Malhotra sent to 14-day custody On Monday, Malhotra was sent to 14-day judicial custody in Hisar, Haryana. This comes after she had already completed a four-day police custody period, which ended the day before. She is accused of leaking sensitive information to Pakistan, including details about nationwide power blackouts that took place during 'Operation Sindoor.' She is accused of leaking sensitive information to Pakistan, including details about nationwide power blackouts that took place during 'Operation Sindoor.' Image courtesy: YouTube/@TravelwithJo 'She was actively communicating with handlers from Pakistan even when there was a communication blackout,' a senior intelligence source told The Financial Express. She also allegedly shared information related to the blackouts imposed across North India during the operation. Police suspect that Malhotra was likely 'developed as an asset' by Pakistani handlers. While she had no access to sensitive defence data, officials believe she was instructed to present Pakistan in a positive light through her content. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'In modern warfare, the enemy tries to set a positive narrative in its favour. The involvement of Malhotra suggests she helped them in setting narratives. This is how influencers and YouTubers are being roped in,' Sawan added. With input from agencies
Hans India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Unmasking India's Spy Scandals Linked To Pakistan
In the wake of the devastating Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians on April 22, 2025, Indian security agencies have ramped up efforts to dismantle espionage networks linked to Pakistan, resulting in the arrest of 11 individuals, including travel vlogger Jyoti Malhotra. This nationwide operation has exposed a series of high-profile spy scandals involving Indian nationals, from YouTubers to diplomats, who allegedly leaked sensitive information to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), often through honey-trap schemes. Jyoti Malhotra, a 33-year-old Haryana-based vlogger running the YouTube channel "Travel with Jo," was arrested on May 16, 2025, for suspected ISI espionage. Her frequent trips to Pakistan in 2023, 2024, and March 2025, along with her connections to a Pakistani High Commission official named Danish, are under scrutiny. Authorities suspect she was honey-trapped and motivated by views and financial gains, as her travel expenses exceeded her known income. Satendra Siwal, an Indian Embassy staff member in Moscow since 2021, was arrested in February 2024 by the Uttar Pradesh ATS for leaking classified Indian Air Force and Navy documents. Honey-trapped via social media by a woman posing as 'Pooja Mehra,' Siwal was charged under the Government Secrets Act of 1923. Similarly, DRDO scientist Pradeep Kurulkar was arrested in May 2023 for sharing sensitive information with a Pakistani operative via WhatsApp, leading to his dismissal and ongoing judicial custody in Pune. BrahMos engineer Nishant Agrawal, arrested in 2018, was sentenced to life imprisonment in June 2024 for leaking missile-related secrets to the ISI after being honey-trapped online. Indian Foreign Service officer Madhuri Gupta, stationed in Islamabad, was arrested in 2010 for passing information to ISI officials. Convicted in 2018, she received a three-year sentence but maintained her innocence until her death in 2021. Additionally, a 1990s case involved an Indian naval attaché in Islamabad who was blackmailed by the ISI through a romantic liaison, forcing his resignation after returning to Delhi. These cases highlight the persistent threat of espionage targeting India's sensitive sectors.
India Today
26-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
'Spy' YouTuber to be produced in Haryana court today as police remand ends
YouTuber and social media influencer Jyoti Malhotra, arrested on suspicion of espionage, will be produced before a court in Haryana's Hisar on Monday after a four-day police 33, was among 12 individuals arrested earlier this month from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh in connection with an alleged Pakistan-linked spy network operating in northern was initially sent to police remand for five days and again appeared before the court on May 22. The court granted an additional four-day custody for further According to sources familiar with the matter, Hisar police won't be seeking her custody for a third time. Hisar police said last week that while no evidence had surfaced indicating Jyoti had access to any sensitive military or defence-related information, she was reportedly in contact with individuals known to be Pakistani intelligence sources claimed that Jyoti had been in contact with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish, a former staffer at the Pakistani High Commission, since November was allegedly in touch with Danish during the four-day military clash between India and Pakistan that followed the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, which left 26 people was expelled from India on May 13 for allegedly engaging in espionage said Jyoti, who runs the YouTube channel called 'Travel with Jo', had travelled to Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, and several other countries in recent to police, Pakistani intelligence operatives were attempting to develop Jyoti as an intelligence said that during questioning, she allegedly disclosed that she was in touch with Pakistani intelligence agents through encrypted messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Snapchat, and have sent three of the vlogger's mobile phones and a laptop for forensic analysis. Her four bank accounts are also under investigation agencies are questioning Jyoti and police from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, Goa, and Uttar Pradesh have also sought to interrogate by Praveen KumarTune InTrending Reel
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First Post
22-05-2025
- First Post
Who is Priyanka Senapati, the Odisha YouTuber who travelled with 'spy' Jyoti Malhotra to Pahalgam?
Priyanka Senapati, a 21-year-old Odisha-based YouTuber, has come under the radar for her close ties to arrested content creator Jyoti Malhotra. The two reportedly travelled to various destinations together, including Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, months before the horrifying terror attacks rocked the region read more Priyanka Senapati, a resident of Puri and currently a student, is believed to have shared a close bond with Malhotra. She had reportedly accompanied her on multiple trips, including a visit to Pahalgam, just days before the horrifying terror attacks rocked the region. Image courtesy: X A fresh twist has emerged in the ongoing investigation into 'spy' YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, as police have now turned their attention to another content creator—Odisha-based travel vlogger Priyanka Senapati. The 21-year-old, a resident of Puri and currently a student, is believed to have shared a close bond with Malhotra. She had reportedly accompanied her on multiple trips, including a visit to Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, just months before the horrifying terror attacks rocked the region. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the last three days, Senapati has undergone multiple rounds of intense questioning. Officials from the Intelligence Bureau, Odisha Police, and the state's forensic teams are trying to uncover the depth of her involvement with , who was arrested last week from Haryana on serious charges of spying for Pakistan. So, who exactly is Priyanka Senapati? What is her connection with Jyoti Malhotra's case? Here's what we know so far Big admirer of Jyoti, wanted to be popular like her: Senpati According to a report by The New Indian Express, Senapati has reportedly told investigators that she was a huge admirer of Malhotra and aspired to become a successful social media influencer like her. Senapati, who runs a YouTube channel called Prii_vlogs with just over 14,000 subscribers, was keen on growing her audience by associating with Malhotra, whose channel Travel with Jo had amassed over 3.87 lakh followers. The two reportedly came in contact through YouTube last year and first connected in person during Malhotra's visit to Puri in September. Their bond quickly grew, leading them to travel together across various destinations. YouTuber Priyanka Senpati reportedly came in contact through YouTube last year and first connected in person during Malhotra's visit to Puri in September. Image courtesy: Instagram After news of Malhotra's arrest broke, Senapati issued a clarification, stressing that she had no knowledge of the alleged activities of her 'friend'. 'I was completely unaware of the serious charges against her. Had I known she was spying for an enemy country, I would have never maintained any contact with her,' she wrote. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'If any investigative agency wishes to cross-question, I would provide full cooperation. Nation is above all. Jai Hind,' she added in the same post. As of now, Senapati is being jointly questioned by officers from the Intelligence Bureau, Odisha's intelligence unit, and the Puri police to understand the extent of her association with Malhotra. Priyanka's trips with Jyoti Malhotra under scanner The two YouTubers who had developed a closer bond travelled together to various parts of the country. Malhotra's social media pages feature numerous images of the two exploring places like Puri, Kashmir, and Kerala. Their travel history has now come under scrutiny, especially in light of Malhotra's recent arrest. Back in September last year, during Malhotra visited Odisha, during which Senapati had escorted her to major landmarks like the Jagannath Temple and the Sun Temple at Konark. She also featured in her YouTube videos. The trip, however, didn't go unnoticed. Malhotra was briefly detained for flying a drone over the Jagannath Temple, a restricted zone. She was later released, reportedly due to Senapati's intervention, who is said to have helped her gain access to sensitive locations, as per a Deccan Chronicle report. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Authorities are also examining the Jagannath Bhakt Niwas guest house, where Malhotra had stayed during that visit. The property's manager confirmed she arrived at the accommodation with another woman and stayed for a day, NDTV reports. Jyoti Malhotra's social media pages featured numerous images with Odisha-based YouTuber Priyanka Senapati exploring places like Puri, Kashmir, and Kerala. Image courtesy: X Police are currently attempting to retrace Malhotra's activities during her time in Puri and determine whether she came into contact with any suspicious individuals. Senapati's Kartarpur visit in Pakistan faces scrutiny Separately, another trip that has raised serious concerns is Senapati's visit to Pakistan via the Kartarpur Corridor . On March 25, she uploaded a vlog titled 'Odia Girl in Pakistan | Kartarpur Corridor Guide | Odia Vlog' on her YouTube channel. Senapati's visit to Pakistan via the Kartarpur Corridor roughly four months ago has also come under scrutiny amid her links with YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra. Image courtesy: X While her father insists that the trip was routine and undertaken with proper documentation, authorities are closely analysing whether the visit, especially to such a strategically sensitive location, was simply for content creation or linked to something more organised. 'We are looking into the woman's visits to different locations and the financial transactions connected to those trips,' Puri Superintendent of Police Vinit Agrawal told The Hindu. 'As per our current information, she had undertaken a one-day trip to Pakistan. We are examining the purpose of that visit. Coordination is underway with both state and central agencies, as well as with the Haryana police,' he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Though Senapati has not been arrested and no direct evidence has surfaced against her so far, she remains under surveillance at her family home in Puri. Her family has extended full cooperation, handing over her digital devices and financial records to the authorities. Meanwhile, Senapati's online presence appears to be shrinking—comments on her videos have been disabled, several uploads have been removed, and her activity on social media has notably declined as she made her account private. With input from agencies
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Did YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra want to marry in Pakistan? What police said
Police addressed the espionage charges against YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra on Wednesday, stating that she was in contact with officials from the Pakistan embassy. But they is no evidence so far linking her to any terrorist group or activity. Malhotra, known for her travel videos on the YouTube channel Travel with Jo, was arrested last week. Police say she had been in contact with a Pakistani intelligence officer named Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish, and allegedly shared sensitive information with him. In a WhatsApp chat quoted by NDTV, Malhotra is believed to have told Danish: 'Get me married in Pakistan.' However, Hisar Superintendent of Police said they have not found any formal proof of her intent to change her religion. 'We have not found any document which depicts that she wants to marry any PIOs or wants to change religion,' the SP said Cops say Danish, who has been declared persona non grata by India, introduced Malhotra to Ali Ahwan. Ahwan allegedly helped arrange her stay and connected her with Pakistani officials Shakir and Rana Shahbaz. 'Danish was developing her as an asset. She was in touch with other YouTube influencers,' a Hisar police spokesperson said. The 33-year-old, Jyoti Malhotra, who has over 100,000 followers on Instagram and 3.87 lakh subscribers on YouTube, reportedly visited Pakistan twice. During one of these visits, she came into contact with an official at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi. Her interactions raised suspicion, leading to questioning by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB). Malhotra has been charged under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act and Section 152 of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita Act. She is one of 12 people arrested across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh in the past two weeks on espionage charges. Police believe the case may be part of a larger Pakistan-linked spy network in northern India.
