Travel With Jo: How YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra’s ‘Innocent’ Videos Turned Into a National Security Threat

Jyoti Malhotra, a 33-year-old content creator from Hisar, Haryana, ran a travel-focused YouTube channel titled Travel With Jo. With over 3.85 lakh subscribers, she was once seen as a passionate Indian vlogger, posting her journeys to various parts of India and abroad. Behind the lens and filters, authorities say, was a web of suspicious connections, unexplained foreign trips, and communication with Pakistani operatives, raising questions no influencer should ever be answering.

The Start of the Espionage Trail

Jyoti’s videos were simple and relatable, and they gave the impression of a solo female traveller living her dream. But what appeared to be travel content on the surface now seems to have been a well-crafted disguise.

Jyoti first came under the radar when she visited the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi in 2023 for a visa. Harkirat Singh, a visa agent and employee of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee in Kurukshetra, allegedly introduced her to Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish.

This meeting, as simple as it may seem, marked the beginning of a deep-rooted network that would soon catch national attention. Her association with Danish did not end with one meeting. Sources say they remained in constant touch. Danish, a Pakistan High Commission staffer, was later expelled from India on May 13, 2025, on charges of espionage.

A Social Media Mask for a Dangerous Agenda

Authorities allege that Jyoti’s YouTube fame was used as a mask for darker motives. She wasn’t just travelling for videos, she was visiting strategic regions like Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and even countries like Pakistan, China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and more. Despite having no strong income source to justify international travel, she enjoyed free movement, special treatment, and even police security during her Pakistan visits.

Police officials confirmed that she had gone to Pakistan at least three times. One of her most controversial videos showed her inside the Pakistan High Commission during a special Iftar party, where she was warmly welcomed by Danish himself. The interaction seemed friendly and pre-planned, showing how close the two were.

Shockingly, her travels coincided with significant national security events. For example, she was in Pakistan just before the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and later visited Kashmir. This has raised red flags, prompting a detailed investigation into the timeline of her movements and possible intelligence leaks.

Honey-Trapped or Willing?

Investigators suspect that Jyoti was being cultivated as an “asset” by Pakistani officials. Officials from NIA, the Intelligence Bureau, the Military Intelligence, and the Haryana Police are currently investigating her digital footprint, her laptop, phone, social media accounts, and especially her bank details.

Some officials claim that Danish likely honey-trapped her and gradually turned her into a channel for spreading pro-Pakistan narratives and leaking soft intelligence, including troop movements, area visuals, and event participation. One of her videos even claimed that the Pahalgam attack wasn’t Pakistan’s fault, a statement that has now come under heavy scrutiny. She directly supported Pakistani terrorists for their atrocities in Pahalgam.

Growing Spy Network in the Region

Jyoti’s arrest doesn’t stand alone. In the past two weeks, authorities have arrested a dozen individuals from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh on similar espionage charges. Officials are scanning other influencers’ stories, posts, and deleted content, and have already sent notices to several of them. For more details, stay tuned to The Reelstars.

Jyoti Malhotra’s Demeanour During Interrogation

What shocked investigators the most was Jyoti’s unapologetic stance. During questioning, police officers noted that she showed “no remorse”. She defended her actions by saying she was simply exercising her freedom of speech. But her financial trials and travel records are telling a different story.

SP Shashank Kumar Sawan stated that although Jyoti didn’t have direct access to classified military data, she was in touch with Public Information Officers (PIOs) and other Indian social media influencers who might have been part of the same network. Her proximity to key Pakistani officials during the India-Pakistan military conflict period made her a serious threat.

Currently under custody

Authorities have booked Jyoti Malhotra under multiple sections of the Official Secrets Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Her YouTube channel remains online, serving as a reminder of how digital platforms can compromise national security.

This case has alarmed security agencies, who are now probing how social media platforms influence public opinion and potentially aid hostile states.

Jyoti Malhotra’s Story isn’t just about a YouTuber gone Rogue

This is a chilling episode of how easily digital fame can be weaponised. A woman who hailed for her wanderlust and courage now stands accused of betraying her own country.

Her case has shaken the trust placed in influencers, especially those visiting sensitive regions under the pretext of content creation. Whether she was a victim or a willing participant in espionage remains to be legally proven, but India’s top intelligence teams are already dissecting her role as a digital asset in modern-day warfare.

This isn’t just a travel story anymore, it’s a national security nightmare.

Keep reading The Reelstars for many such insightful pieces.