Synopsis: Following the Pahalgam terror attack, a viral photo links Haryana YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra to a man who brought a cake to the Pakistan High Commission, raising espionage suspicions amid her arrest.
New Delhi: A shocking revelation has emerged after the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists. A man was spotted bringing a cake to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on April 24, sparking outrage. Now, a photo has surfaced showing Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra with the same man, intensifying allegations of her involvement in espionage for Pakistan. Malhotra, arrested on May 17, is accused of sharing sensitive information with Pakistani operatives, raising questions about her role in the events following the attack.
Jyoti Malhotra’s Connection to the Cake Incident
The man who brought the cake to the Pakistan High Commission was recorded on video, ignoring reporters’ questions about the celebration. Investigations revealed that Jyoti Malhotra met this individual during a party in Pakistan, where she allegedly recorded him. Malhotra, who runs the YouTube channel ‘Travel with JO,’ was arrested in Hisar under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, for allegedly leaking sensitive information. Police confirmed she had been in contact with a Pakistani High Commission official named Danish since 2023 and visited Pakistan twice in 2024, with her last trip in March 2025, just before the Pahalgam attack.
Espionage Allegations and Malhotra’s Arrest
Jyoti Malhotra’s interactions with Pakistani intelligence officers, including a meeting facilitated by Danish, have come under scrutiny. Hisar SP Shashank Kumar Sawan stated that Malhotra was being groomed as an asset by Pakistan, having visited Pahalgam in January 2025 and Pakistan shortly after. Authorities allege she shared military-related information via encrypted apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. Her arrest followed the expulsion of Danish, declared persona non grata by India on May 13. Malhotra’s father has denied the spying allegations, claiming her trips were for content creation, but her financial records and travel patterns are being investigated for discrepancies.
Nationwide Crackdown on Espionage Activities
Malhotra’s case is part of a broader crackdown on espionage following the Pahalgam attack and India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor. Over three days, 11 individuals, including students and influencers, were arrested across Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh for allegedly spying for Pakistan. The use of social media influencers like Malhotra highlights a new espionage tactic by Pakistani intelligence to push narratives and gather information. Police and intelligence agencies are intensifying efforts to dismantle such networks, ensuring no Indian citizen aids foreign agencies amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions.
Conclusion: The photo linking Jyoti Malhotra to the Pakistan High Commission’s celebration post-Pahalgam attack has deepened espionage concerns, underscoring the need for vigilance against covert operations threatening India’s security.