A popular Indian travel vlogger and YouTuber, Jyoti Malhotra, who has millions of followers on social media, has been arrested for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI and engaging in anti-national activities.
Jyoti runs a YouTube channel called ‘Travel with Jo’. During her 2023 visit to Pakistan, she came in contact with ISI agents. So far, six people from different parts of Haryana and Punjab have been arrested in connection with this spy network.
How It All Started
In 2023, Jyoti visited Pakistan using a visa she obtained through commission agents. During the visit, she met Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a staff member at the Pakistan High Commission. Their connection grew deeper, and through Danish, she was introduced to other Pakistani agents, including Ali Ahsan and Shakir alias Rana Shehbaz, whom she had saved in her phone as “Jatt Randhawa.”
Communication via Encrypted Apps
Jyoti stayed in contact with these agents using encrypted platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat. Not only did she present a positive image of Pakistan on social media, but she also allegedly shared sensitive information related to Indian locations.
As per the authorities, Jyoti was one of six individuals who were passing on key information to Pakistani handlers. Danish and Ali Ahsan helped arrange her stay in Pakistan, and she also developed a close personal relationship with one of the ISI officers. In fact, she even traveled with him to Bali, Indonesia recently.
It’s reported that while living in Delhi, she remained in contact with Danish and shared classified Indian location data. A written confession has also been recorded in this case.
On May 13, 2025, the Indian Government declared Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish as a persona non grata, ordering him to leave the country. Jyoti had been assigned the task of promoting Pakistan’s image online, which was part of a propaganda and espionage strategy.
A Bigger Spy Network Uncovered
This isn’t just about Jyoti. Investigators believe this is part of a large spy network operating in India, with several individuals from Punjab and Haryana acting as agents or financial conduits for Pakistani handlers.
Among the arrested is Ghazala, a 32-year-old woman from Punjab’s Malerkotla, who helped in financial transfers and visa processes. Another accused is Yamin Mohammed, who was sending money to Danish through hawala channels. Devinder Singh Dhillon from Kaithal was also arrested for allegedly sharing videos of Patiala Cantonment with ISI agents.
A local youth from Nuh, Armaan, has also been held for supplying Indian SIM cards and visiting the 2025 Defence Expo site on Pakistani instructions.
Government Plans to Strengthen Monitoring
This case has prompted authorities to increase surveillance of suspicious social media accounts that may be part of similar espionage or propaganda activities.
Ghazala – Another Key Player
Ghazala is not the only woman being used in this spy network. She is a widow from Malerkotla, Punjab, and was reportedly used by ISI to transfer money to other sources.
She studied at an Islamic Girls School in Malerkotla, completing her 10th and 12th in 2010 and 2012. In 2018, she married Imran Rana, but he passed away in 2020 due to a heart attack.
On February 27, 2025, she went to the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi to apply for a visa. There she met Danish, and the two exchanged contact numbers. Soon, they began chatting and video calling frequently. Ghazala fell in love with Danish, who promised to marry her.
Later, Danish asked her to switch to Telegram from WhatsApp, saying it was safer. On March 7, he sent her ₹10,000 via PhonePe for personal expenses, and again on March 23, he sent ₹20,000. Danish instructed her to send small amounts to a few individuals, and trusting him, she followed his instructions—transferring ₹1800, ₹899, ₹699, and ₹3000.
On April 23, 2025, Ghazala went again to the PHC for a visa, this time with her friend Banu Nasreena. She met Danish again, who gave her further assurances.
Summary Table
| Person | Role in the Case | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jyoti Malhotra | Travel vlogger accused of spying | Delhi | Met ISI agents in Pakistan; shared sensitive info |
| Danish (Ehsan-ur-Rahim) | PHC official, ISI handler | Pakistan High Commission, Delhi | Declared persona non grata by Indian Govt |
| Ghazala | Financial link in spy ring | Malerkotla, Punjab | Fell in love with Danish; transferred funds |
| Devinder Singh Dhillon | Accused of video sharing | Kaithal, Haryana | Sent videos of military area to ISI |
| Yamin Mohammed | Money handler | Haryana | Helped send money via hawala |
| Armaan | SIM provider, site visitor | Nuh, Haryana | Helped agents access Defence Expo site |
