Jyoti Malhotra Biography 2025 also known as Jyoti Rani, is a 33-year-old Indian travel vlogger from Hisar, Haryana, who gained fame through her YouTube channel “Travel with Jo.” With over 377,000 YouTube subscribers and 132,000 Instagram followers, she built a reputation as a vibrant storyteller, documenting her journeys across India and abroad, including Pakistan. However, her career took a shocking turn on May 17, 2025, when she was arrested on charges of espionage, accused of leaking sensitive military information to Pakistani intelligence operatives.
Jyoti Malhotra Biography 2025
Category | Details |
Full Name | Jyoti Malhotra (alias Jyoti Rani) |
Age | 33 years (born 1992) |
Hometown | Hisar, Haryana, India |
Religion | Hindu |
Caste | Malhotra (Punjabi Khatri community) |
Profession | Travel Vlogger, Digital Creator |
YouTube Channel | “Travel with Jo” (377K+ subscribers, 500+ videos) |
Instagram Handle | @travelwithjo1 (132K+ followers) |
Content Focus | Travel vlogs across India, Pakistan, and Southeast Asia |
Career Start | 2011 (YouTube channel creation) |
Arrest Date | May 17, 2025 |
Charges | Espionage under Sections 3, 4, 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923 |
Current Status | In judicial custody (as of May 2025) |
Early Life and Background
Born in Hisar, Haryana, in 1992, Jyoti Malhotra, also known as Jyoti Rani, is a 33-year-old travel vlogger who gained prominence through her YouTube channel, “Travel with Jo.” While details about her early education remain undisclosed, her articulate presentation and content creation skills suggest a well-rounded academic background. Information about her family is scarce, as she maintained privacy regarding her personal relationships, focusing instead on her travel vlogging career.
Career as a Travel Vlogger
Jyoti Malhotra launched her YouTube channel, “Travel with Jo,” in 2011, amassing nearly 500 videos, 53 lakh+ views, and 377,000 subscribers. Her Instagram (@travelwithjo1) also grew to 132,000 followers, where she shared travel reels and lifestyle content. Her content covered destinations across India, Pakistan, Indonesia, and China. She posted a YouTube Short in March 2025 about visiting Hindu pilgrimage sites in Pakistan.
Who Is Jyoti Malhotra, Haryana Travel YouTuber Arrested Over Spying For Pakistan
Jyoti Malhotra had posted multiple videos and reels from Pakistan, showing her visit to Lahore’s Anarkali Bazaar, Katas Raj Temple, and a bus journey across the country. Travel vlogger Jyoti Malhotra, also known as Jyoti Rani, was arrested on Saturday for allegedly spying for Pakistan and leaking sensitive Indian military information. The 33-year-old is among six people booked under charges of espionage.
Who Is Jyoti Malhotra?
- Jyoti Malhotra is a travel vlogger from Haryana who runs a YouTube channel called ‘Travel With Jo’. Her Instagram handle, ‘travelwithjo1’, has 1.37 lakh followers.
- Her Instagram bio describes her as a “Nomadic Leo Girl. Wanderer. Haryanvi + Punjabi modern girl with old ideas.”
- Her social media shows she has a keen interest in bike riding and solo travel.
- Ms Malhotra has travelled extensively across India and foreign countries, including Pakistan, Bhutan, Indonesia, and China.
- She visited Pakistan twice, and her content from there has attracted scrutiny from Indian investigators.
Around two months ago, she posted multiple videos and reels from Pakistan, showing her visit to Lahore’s Anarkali Bazaar, Katas Raj Temple, and a bus journey across the country. One of her Instagram captions read “Ishq (love) Lahore”, and her content included comparisons between Indian and Pakistani culture and coverage of Pakistani cuisine.
In 2023, Jyoti Malhotra visited Pakistan for the first time using a visa arranged through commission agents, during which she came in contact with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, an official at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi. She later developed close ties with Rahim, who introduced her to Pakistani intelligence operatives.
Ms Malhotra allegedly remained in touch with these handlers after returning to India and is accused of sharing sensitive Indian Army movement and location details as part of an espionage network spanning Haryana and Punjab.
She reportedly visited Pakistan twice and was hosted there by Rahim’s associate, Ali Ahwan.
In 2024, she also travelled to Kashmir, uploading videos from Dal Lake and the Srinagar-Banihal railway route. Investigators further claim she formed an intimate relationship with one Pakistani operative and even accompanied him to Bali, Indonesia.
Her arrest comes shortly after India’s Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory strike in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people. Following the operation, Rahim was declared persona non grata and expelled from India on May 13 for espionage.
Jyoti Malhotra Espionage Allegations and Arrest
Jyoti Malhotra Arrest Details 2025
On May 17, 2025, Jyoti Malhotra was arrested in Hisar, Haryana, as part of a larger espionage crackdown involving six individuals, including a student and a security guard.
Key Allegations
- Pakistani Intelligence Links: Visited Pakistan in 2023 on a visa obtained via commission agents. Met Ehsan-ur-Rahim (alias Danish), a Pakistan High Commission staffer later expelled from India on May 13, 2025. Allegedly introduced to Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs).
- Secret Communications: Used WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat to communicate with PIOs. Saved a PIO’s number as “Jatt Randhawa” to avoid detection.
- Sensitive Information Leak: Accused of sharing Indian military details, compromising national security.
- Personal Relationships: Developed an intimate relationship with a PIO and traveled to Bali, Indonesia, with him.
Legal Charges
Booked under Section 152 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 3, 4, 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923. Five-day police remand granted; case transferred to the Economic Offences Wing.
Digital Footprint and Social Media Activity
Authorities allege that Jyoti Malhotra maintained active communication with Pakistani intelligence operatives and leaked sensitive information using encrypted social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat. Investigations also revealed potential links with the Pakistan High Commission, underscoring concerns over national security and the misuse of social media for espionage activities.
Jyoti Malhotra Personal Life
| Date of Birth | 1 August 1991 (Thursday) |
| Age (as of 2025) | 34 Years |
| Birthplace | Hisar, Haryana, India |
| Zodiac sign | Leo |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Hometown | Hisar, Haryana |
| School | FCHS, Hisar |
| College/University | • FC College For Women, Hisar • Kurukshetra University (2012-2014) |
| Educational Qualification(s) | • Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) (FC College) • Master of Commerce (M.Com.) |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Caste | Malhotra (Khatri) |
| Food Habit | Non-vegetarian |
| Address | House np. 21/P, New Agrasen Extension, EBS Road, Hisar, Haryana, India |
| Hobbies | • Swimming • Listening songs |
| Tattoo(s) | • Word ‘ANU’ and heart design on left wrist • Ik Onkar (ੴ) on behind of neck |
| Social Media | • Instagram • YouTube |
Jyoti Malhotra Family
| Parents | Father– Harish Kumar Malhotra (Retired Electricity department employee) Mother– (divorced) |
| Siblings | Only child |
| Other Relatives | Paternal Uncle(s) (Chacha)– 3 • Khushal Malhotra • Mahesh Malhotra • Ram Malhotra Maternal Uncle (Maternal Aunt’s husband)– Rajeev Kapoor Paternal Aunt (Bua)– Sheetal Chadha Paternal Uncle (Foofa)– Ravi Chadha Cousin(s)– 2 • Hardik Chadha (married to Dr. Komal Yadav) • Shikha Chadha Chopra |
Public Reaction and Media Coverage
Followers expressed shock, given her image as a harmless travel vlogger. Some believe she was manipulated, while others see it as treason. An X (Twitter) post emphasized she is a “non-Muslim YouTuber,” possibly to avoid communal polarization. Her Hindu Khatri (Malhotra) background has not been a major focus in the case. Her YouTube & Instagram accounts remain active but under scrutiny. Investigators are analyzing her past posts for propaganda links.
Cultural Identity and Personal Philosophy
Jyoti identifies as Hindu, and her surname Malhotra indicates she likely belongs to the Khatri community, a prominent Punjabi sub-caste historically associated with trade, administration, and military roles. The Malhotra lineage traces back to North India, particularly Punjab, where they played significant roles during the Vedic and medieval periods.
Describing herself as a “Haryanvi + Punjabi” woman, Jyoti often blended traditional values with a modern, free-spirited persona. On social media, she referred to herself as a “nomadic Leo girl wanderer” and a “purane khyalo ki modern ladki” (a modern girl with traditional ideas), reflecting her deep cultural roots while embracing contemporary lifestyles. Despite her public presence, she kept her family and educational background largely out of the spotlight, allowing her travel adventures to take center stage.
FAQs
Who is Jyoti Malhotra?
Jyoti Malhotra is a travel YouTuber from Hisar, Haryana, India. She runs the channel “Travel with Jo”, where she shares travel experiences from different countries.
Why was Jyoti Malhotra arrested?
She was arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan. Authorities claim she shared sensitive information with Pakistani intelligence operatives.
How many subscribers does Jyoti Malhotra have?
Her YouTube channel has around 377,000 subscribers.
Which countries has Jyoti Malhotra visited?
She has traveled to Indonesia, China, and Pakistan, among other places.
What charges has Jyoti Malhotra been booked under?
She has been charged under Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).