HISAR: Jyoti Malhotra, a YouTuber from Hisar, who was arrested on espionage charges, was knowingly in contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives (PIOs). However, authorities have found no evidence linking her to terrorist activities or associations with any known terrorist organizations, the police stated on Wednesday.
Hisar Superintendent of Police clarified that Malhotra did not appear to have any knowledge of military operations or the plans of the armed forces. Despite being aware that some of her contacts were Pakistani intelligence operatives, she continued to maintain communication with them, he added.
“We have not found any evidence suggesting her involvement in terrorist activities or any alignment with terrorist groups. Additionally, there is no document indicating that she intended to marry any PIOs or convert her religion,” the SP remarked.
Malhotra’s three mobile phones, a laptop, and several electronic devices—including two mobile phones belonging to Harkirat Singh, a visa agent arrested on May 18—have been sent for forensic analysis. However, the police have clarified that the analysis is being conducted by central agencies, not the Hisar police.
“The pages of her ‘diary’ that were shown in the public domain were not recovered by us. We do not have any diary in our possession,” the SP added.
The 33-year-old travel blogger was arrested on May 16 for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistani operatives. She has been charged under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act.
During her police remand, Malhotra was questioned by officials from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Intelligence Bureau (IB).
A day earlier, Hisar police spokesperson Vikas Kumar had revealed that Malhotra had been in contact with Danish, a Pakistani official from the high commission who was expelled from India on May 13. Kumar stated that the contact began in November 2023 and continued until March 2025. “Danish was developing her as an asset. She was also in touch with other YouTube influencers,” he added.
Malhotra was reportedly introduced to Danish at the Pakistan High Commission by Harkirat Singh when she went there to apply for a visa to Pakistan, the police spokesperson said.
