The case involving Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra has sparked serious national security concerns, as Indian intelligence agencies investigate her alleged connections with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and potential involvement in compromising Indian undercover agents.
Key Allegations and Developments:
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Interrogation & Custody: Jyoti Malhotra is currently in five-day police custody, being jointly interrogated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Intelligence Bureau (IB), and Haryana Police.
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ISI Links via WhatsApp: Investigators uncovered WhatsApp chats between Malhotra and an ISI handler identified as Ali Hasan, containing coded references to “protocol” and “undercover agents.”
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Hasan allegedly asked her: “Who received the protocol when you were at Attari?”
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Malhotra replied: “They weren’t that stupid,” implying she noticed some caution among those present.
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These coded messages have led agencies to believe she was either used to observe Indian intelligence operatives or was actively cooperating.
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Trip to Pakistan: Malhotra first visited Pakistan in 2023 for the 324th Vaisakhi Festival—a period when intelligence officials suspect her links with Pakistani operatives began to deepen.
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Suspicious Contacts:
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One notable figure is Ehsan Dar (alias Danish), a Pakistani High Commission official recently declared persona non grata by India (May 13).
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Malhotra initially denied any ties to Dar, but investigators say her responses have been evasive and misleading.
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Espionage or Manipulation?: Authorities are examining whether Malhotra:
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Was consciously aiding the ISI in identifying Indian covert operatives, or
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Was manipulated into unknowingly assisting a broader espionage or influence operation.
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Propaganda Role: Further suspicion arose when Malhotra released a controversial video after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which she blamed Indian security agencies—a stance that aligns with common Pakistani disinformation narratives.
Broader Implications:
This case highlights:
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A growing concern over how digital content creators, especially those involved in cross-border narratives, may be co-opted into foreign influence campaigns.
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The blurring of lines between social media outreach, citizen diplomacy, and covert surveillance.
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The importance of monitoring propaganda ecosystems that could be used to weaken India's internal security or diplomatic standing.
What’s Next:
Investigative agencies are now:
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Tracing Malhotra’s travel history, digital footprint, and financial transactions.
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Exploring the possibility of a spy ring or larger network linked to Pakistani intelligence.
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Determining if legal action under the Official Secrets Act or the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) may be warranted.
The case is still evolving, but it underscores the increasing sophistication of hybrid espionage efforts that blend soft influence with hard intelligence gathering.
