Jyoti Malhotra Espionage Case: How Pakistani Operatives Are Recruiting Indian Influencers

Authorities have revealed concerning information about how Pakistani intelligence agents are abusing Indian influencers after arresting social media influencer Jyoti Malhotra on suspicion of spying for Pakistan.

Speaking to the media on Sunday, Hisar Superintendent of Police (SP) Shashank Kumar Sawan disclosed that Pakistani intelligence agents are deliberately pursuing Indian social media influencers in order to spread anti-Indian sentiments.

"Warfare in the modern day goes beyond the battlefield. To further their agenda, Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) are trying to enlist influencers. We detained Jyoti Malhotra in response to central agencies' intelligence input. She had been to China once and Pakistan several times before. She kept in touch with Pakistani agents. She is currently on police remand for five days, according to SP Sawan.

He further disclosed that during the recent Indo-Pak confrontation that preceded India's Operation Sindoor, Malhotra allegedly communicated with Pakistani intelligence operators.

We're looking into her financial dealings. Her stated income does not match her travel history. She kept in touch with the PIOs throughout the conflict," Sawan stated.

Arrest and Charges

Malhotra, a travel blogger from Hisar, Haryana, is charged with giving Pakistani handlers private information. In the week after India and Pakistan just agreed to a truce, her arrest is the third such case in Haryana.

Malhotra allegedly confessed to giving Pakistani agents access to private information while being questioned. She has been accused under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act and Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, which deal with handling confidential information and espionage.

She is still being held by the police while enquiries are conducted into the scope of her suspected espionage activities and the potential participation of other contacts or influencers in the scheme.