Security agencies have arrested YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra and three others for allegedly spying for Pakistan, even during recent blackouts in north India. Malhotra was reportedly in contact with a Pakistan High Commission staffer in Delhi.
CHANDIGARH: Security agencies have claimed that YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra and three others who have been arrested for spying for Pakistan, were in touch with their handlers even during the recent confrontation, when blackouts were being imposed across north India.“Even on May 6, a day before Operation Sindoor, Malhotra went to New Delhi and was in touch with [her handler] Danish, a staffer of Pakistan high commission in Delhi, and others for the next few days. The same was the case for other accused,” said a source. Since May 13, Haryana Police have arrested Nauman Elahi, an Uttar Pradesh resident who worked as a guard at Panipat; Devender Singh Dhillon, a resident of Kaithal; Malhotra, a resident of Hisar; and Arman, a resident of Rajaka village in Nuh.All accused are being questioned by multiple agencies. All of them are accused of spying forPakistani handlers and sharing important information related to vital installations.Also read: ‘If my daughter has friends in Pakistan, can’t she call them?’ asks father of alleged ‘spy’ YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra
Referring to Malhotra, Hisar SP Shashank Sawan said: “In modern warfare, the enemy tries to set a positive narrative in its favour. The involvement of Malhotra suggests she helped them in setting narratives. This is how influencers and YouTubers are being roped in.” Though the SP refrained from sharing details, sources said her income was disproportionate to travel expenses she could have incurred, and some of her trips abroad could be sponsored.Sawan said Jyoti had been on the radar of central agencies for long, and the agencies had also put another YouTuber from Odisha under scanner.
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Referring to Arman, agencies have established that he was in touch with Pakistani handlers through a terrorist and had also arranged Indian mobile SIM cards for officers of Pakistan intelligence operatives with his IDs. He specifically attended a defence expo and shared the details with Pakistani agencies. In his early 20s, Arman is a Class XII dropout and would carry a bag, claiming to be in search of a job in New Delhi.He was rounded up from Firozpur Jhirka on May 15 night.Also read: YouTuber ‘spy’ Jyoti Malhotra was in Pakistan before Pahalgam attack, says police
