Puri: A Puri-based YouTuber and blogger is under police scrutiny due to her association with Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who was recently apprehended on suspicion of passing sensitive information to Pakistani intelligence operatives.
Police investigations revealed that Jyoti Malhotra, who operates the YouTube channel “Travel with JO” and hails from Hisar, Haryana, visited Puri in September 2024. During this visit, she established contact with the Puri-based woman, who is also active on YouTube.
Ms.Malhotra, whose YouTube channel boasts 377,000 subscribers and Instagram account has 133,000 followers, allegedly maintained communication with a staff member at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi. Notably, India expelled a Pakistani official on May 13 following allegations of espionage.
Further investigation revealed that the woman in Puri had also travelled to the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan recently, according to police sources.
Puri Superintendent of Police (SP) Vinit Agrawal confirmed the visit, stating, “We found that Jyoti Malhotra had visited Puri last year, and we are verifying this fact. Further details will be shared after the verification process is complete.”
When questioned about whether the Puri-based woman had shared any intelligence with Ms.Malhotra, SP Agrawal stated, “The Haryana Police are currently investigating the matter, and we are providing them with all necessary assistance.”
The Puri Police are also “examining the objective” behind Ms.Malhotra’s visit to Puri, endeavoring to ascertain “where she stayed, whom she contacted, and any potential suspicious activities,” the SP added.
“We are in communication with various central agencies and the Haryana Police. We will share pertinent details with the media following thorough field verification,” SP Shri Agrawal told Media.
The Puri-based YouTuber’s father confirmed that police had questioned his daughter on Saturday and requested specific information. A police team also visited their residence in Puri as part of the ongoing investigation.
“My daughter’s connection with Jyoti Malhotra arose from their shared profession as YouTubers. Their friendship led to Ms.Malhotra’s visit to Puri. Given the implications for national security, a comprehensive investigation is imperative, and we will fully cooperate with the police,” he stated.
He further clarified, “My daughter’s pilgrimage to Kartarpur in Pakistan occurred three or four months ago in the company of another friend, not Ms.Malhotra. My daughter has no involvement in any anti-national activities and was unaware of Ms.Malhotra’s alleged espionage.”
In a social media post, the Puri-based woman addressed the situation, stating, “Jyoti was merely a friend I connected with through YouTube. I had no knowledge of the accusations against her. Had I known she was allegedly spying for Pakistan, I would have never associated with her.”
She added, “I am ready to fully cooperate with any investigative agency that wishes to question me. The nation’s interest is paramount. Jai Hind.”