Popular YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra Breaks Silence in First Live After Shocking Arrest for Spying for Pakistan

New Delhi, India – The internet was set ablaze after popular YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, known for her patriotic commentary and lifestyle content, went LIVE for the first time following her recent arrest on charges of espionage — allegedly spying for Pakistan.

The broadcast, which drew in over 1.5 million viewers in just 30 minutes, was a highly emotional, chaotic, and unexpected moment that left her followers stunned and divided.

The Arrest That Shocked the Nation

Just two weeks ago, Jyoti Malhotra was detained by Indian intelligence agencies after she was accused of leaking sensitive information to Pakistani handlers through encrypted messaging platforms. According to official sources, she was allegedly in contact with a suspected ISI agent, and had been paid in cryptocurrency for undisclosed data.

Her sudden arrest caused an uproar online, with hashtags like #JyotiMalhotraTraitor and #JusticeForJyoti trending simultaneously — reflecting the nation’s torn response to the allegations.

Jyoti Malhotra Speaks Out: “I Was Framed!”

During her live broadcast from an undisclosed location — heavily filtered and clearly emotional — Jyoti claimed:

“I am not a traitor. I have never worked against my country. I was framed by people who wanted to silence my voice.”

She went on to state that the case against her was “politically motivated” and implied that her growing influence on social media may have made her a target.

The Live Stream: Apologies, Tears, and Accusations

At one point, Jyoti broke down in tears while addressing her 3 million+ subscribers:

“To all of you who believed in me… I’m sorry. I never thought my life would take such a dark turn.”

She also made veiled references to “high-profile names” involved in her arrest but refused to disclose further, citing legal threats.

Public Reaction: Support and Skepticism

The comments section of the live stream became a battlefield, with some viewers showing deep sympathy and demanding her release:

“This is a setup. She’s innocent!”

“Bring the truth out! We stand with Jyoti!”

While others were unforgiving:

“You betrayed the country. Shame on you!”

“Stop acting. Let the court decide!”

What’s Next for Jyoti Malhotra?

Legal experts say that espionage cases in India carry severe penalties, including long-term imprisonment under the Official Secrets Act. If the charges are proven, Jyoti could face 10 years or more behind bars.

As of now, no court date has been confirmed, and her legal team is preparing a strong defense, claiming there is “no direct evidence.”

A National Scandal with Global Attention

International media outlets have now picked up the story, with many calling it one of the most dramatic turnarounds in Indian social media history — a once-celebrated content creator now under the lens for national betrayal.

5 facts about YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, arrested for spying for Pakistan

Youtuber Jyoti Malhotra has been arrested for allegedly passing sensitive Indian information under the Official Secrets Act and Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Jyoti Malhotra, a social media influencer posting travel content has been arrested in Hisar and has become a key figure in the alleged Pakistan-linked espionage network. She has been charged with spying for Pakistan with alleged links to the Pakistani operatives.
Jyoti Malhotra is from Haryana and runs a travel vlog named “Travel with Jo”.(Instagram/@travelwithjo)

Here are five facts about Jyoti Malhotra

Social media influencer

Jyoti Malhotra hails from Hisar, Haryana, running a YouTube channel called “Travel with Jo”. She opened this channel in 2011 and has a total of 487 videos. With 381K subscribers, her videos feature her travelling in different countries like Bangladesh and Bhutan. In her YouTube bio, she describes herself as a ‘Nomadic Leo Girl’ and ‘Wanderer Haryanvi Punjabi.’

Arrested under Official Secrets Act and BNS

She has been arrested by Hisar police for allegedly passing sensitive information about India to Pakistani intelligence operatives and was actively projecting a positive image of Pakistan on social media. She was booked under Sections 3,4 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act and under Section 152 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). An FIR lodged in Hisar says that Malhotra came into contact with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, alias Danish, a staffer at the Pakistan High Commission, which according to the external affairs ministry has been declared persona non grata for indulging in activities outside his official status in India.

Alleged ties with Pakistan

In one of her vlogs, Malhotra revealed her relations with Ehsan-ur-Rahim. During an Iftar party on the occasion of the National Day of Pakistan, she enters the embassy and meets Ehsan-ur-Rahim, warmly greets him in a manner that they know each other,  before proceeding to appreciate the arrangements of the party.

A man warned about Malhotra a year before her arrest

Even before her arrest a man on X warned the National Investigation Agency to look into Malhotra’s activities. An X user named Kapil Jain had warned the NIA in May 2024. Requesting them to keep a watch on her as she first visited the Pakistani embassy function and then visited Kashmir. “May be some link behind all these: Jain posted along with a screenshot of Malhotra’s YouTube page.

Travelled to Pakistan and Bali

In 2023, Malhotra reportedly visited Pakistan twice, meeting Ali Ehwan, Shakir, and Rana Shahbaz. Moreover she had saved contact under the disguise of fake names like “Jatt Randhawa” to avoid suspicion. She also allegedly traveled to Bali, Indonesia, with one of the intelligence operatives.