YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, Arrested For Espionage, Attended Pakistan High Commission Iftar, Made Vlog On It

Jyoti Malhotra, the travel YouTuber recently arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan, had previously attended an Iftar dinner at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi last year.

She posted a video of the event in which she enthusiastically praises the arrangements, frequently expresses her desire to visit Pakistan, and is seen asking numerous guests for help in securing a visa.

Photo Credit: x.com/Travelwithjoo

In the video, the 33-year-old, who runs the YouTube channel 'Travel With Jo', is seen meeting a Pakistan High Commission official, Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, who was reportedly declared persona non grata and expelled from India within 24 hours for alleged espionage, including leaking sensitive information regarding Indian Army movements.

Malhotra also meets Rahim's wife, and the interactions indicate a prior acquaintance between them, reported NDTV.

The video, which was uploaded on 30 March last year, begins with Malhotra announcing she has been invited to the Iftar and then entering the High Commission premises, describing the decorations as "superb."

She greets Rahim warmly, inquiring about his well-being and telling him, "I am so happy to see you." A man, believed to be Rahim though his face is not shown, introduces her to other officials, stating that she runs the 'Travel With Jo' channel.

Describing the environment at the High Commission, Malhotra tells viewers in a mix of Hindi and English, "I am mesmerised. I have no words. I am excited, super duper excited. Bhaisahab, main to hil gayi (I am so impressed)."

Rahim introduces her to his wife, and after some pleasantries, he tells her about Pakistan Day, celebrated on 23 March. Malhotra responds, "I am very happy after getting such a grand welcome and these arrangements," to which Rahim replies, "This is how Pakistanis are."

She even invites the couple to her home in Hisar, Haryana, saying, "Come see the hospitality in our village. It's very similar."

Throughout the evening, Malhotra approaches several guests asking whether they've been to Pakistan, often saying, "I want to go, too," when they respond affirmatively. "Hopefully I will get a visa, we'll go together," she tells a fellow YouTuber.

She also engages with Chinese officials at the event, saying playfully, "Give me visa!"

Later, she comes across Rahim again and notes that he seems very busy attending to the guests.

Previous Visits

Speaking with another Pakistani official, Malhotra mentions that he handles many responsibilities at the High Commission. "The three or four times I have come, he has recorded the entry and asked for my phone and other belongings to be kept aside. He is a very nice man," she says.

She then jokes with a newly appointed Pakistani official, "Give me a visa this time."

Malhotra compliments the food served at the Iftar before meeting Rahim once more, telling him how pleased she was to have been invited.

Arrest

Malhotra was later arrested from Hisar for allegedly passing sensitive Indian military information to Pakistani handlers.

She reportedly travelled to Pakistan at least twice, where she is said to have met with Pakistani intelligence and security officials during at least one visit.

According to authorities, she continued to communicate with them and shared "anti-national" information.

On Saturday, she was remanded to five days of police custody.