NEW DELHI: A video posted by now-arrested YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra – known online as Travel With Jo – has emerged as key evidence of her alleged connections with Pakistani officials.In the clip posted in March last year, filmed during an Iftar dinner at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, Malhotra is seen warmly praising the arrangements, expressing repeated interest in visiting Pakistan, and “hopefully” getting a visa.The video also captures Malhotra in conversation with Ahsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a Pakistan High Commission official. She appears to be well-acquainted with him, referring to previous meetings and speaking comfortably with his wife, suggesting a level of familiarity beyond casual acquaintance.
According to investigators, Malhotra initially travelled to Pakistan in 2023 whilst participating in a delegation visit. During her stay, she encountered Danish. After returning to India, she maintained contact with him.Following Ahsan’s recommendation, she undertook a second journey where she was introduced to Ali Ahsan, who connected her with operatives from Pakistan’s intelligence services. Officials indicate that she subsequently began transmitting classified information to these contacts.
Who is Jyoti Malhotra?
Jyoti Malhotra is a 33-year-old travel content creator from Hisar, Haryana, who gained popularity through her YouTube channel Travel With Jo, which has over 377,000 subscribers. Her content typically features international travel vlogs, including several videos from Pakistan — the most recent of which was uploaded just last month. Branding herself as a cultural ambassador, Malhotra often portrayed a message of cross-border harmony in her videos.However, this public image has now come under scrutiny following her arrest on Saturday for allegedly spying for Pakistan. According to authorities, Malhotra violated the Official Secrets Act by sharing sensitive information with Pakistani intelligence handlers, posing a threat to India’s national security.She is currently in police custody as further investigations continue.
