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National security

Jyoti Malhotra Arrested for Alleged Spying for Pakistan's ISI

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Noted peace activist and YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra was taken into custody in Hisar, Haryana, after being accused of leaking sensitive information to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency. With a significant online presence and a self-proclaimed role as a peace activist, Malhotra is alleged to have compromised India's national security by sharing details that could harm the country. Authorities claim she maintained regular contact with her Pakistani handlers through various social media platforms and saved their contact details under pseudonyms.

Key Takeaways:

  • Jyoti Malhotra, a YouTuber with 377,000 subscribers and 132,000 Instagram followers, was arrested in Hisar, Haryana, for allegedly spying for Pakistan's ISI.
  • Malhotra is accused of leaking sensitive information that could jeopardize India's national security, specifically under Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
  • Police investigations reveal that Malhotra maintained contact with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, alias Danish, a staff member at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, during a 2023 visit, introducing her to ISI operatives.
  • Malhotra traveled to Bali and Indonesia with one of the operatives, further deepening her ties and allegedly spreading pro-Pakistani propaganda.
  • Authorities suspect Malhotra's trips to Pakistan in 2023 were a cover for espionage activities and that she used her platform to promote a favorable image of Pakistan.
  • Malhotra is accused of being part of a broader network operating in Haryana and Punjab, with six arrests made so far for sharing sensitive information with Pakistan.

Statistics:

  • 377,000 - Number of Malhotra's YouTube followers
  • 132,000 - Number of Malhotra's Instagram followers
  • 3 - Number of Malhotra's trips to Pakistan
  • 2 - Number of times Malhotra visited Pakistan in 2023
  • 5 days - Police custody duration following Malhotra's confession
  • 6 - Number of arrests made so far for sharing sensitive information with Pakistan

Sources:

  • Early Times
  • HT Digital Content Services

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