After five people, including a YouTuber, were arrested by the state for spying, a top Haryana official said that an investigation was underway to see whether other individuals were engaged in espionage against India and that multiple YouTube channels were being investigated.  

Over the course of two weeks, at least 12 individuals from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh have been arrested on espionage-related charges; investigations suggest that a network of spies operating in northern India is allegedly connected to Pakistan.

Jyoti Malhotra, a Haryana resident with a YouTube channel and Instagram accounts with 3.77 lakh subscribers and 1.33 lakh followers, and Guzala, a Punjabi woman of 31 years, were among those arrested. They were accused of communicating with Pakistani officer Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish, who was stationed at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.

After reviewing Haryana's law-and-order situation with Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Sumita Misra informed that the arrests on espionage accusations were discussed.

Several YouTube channels are being investigated, according to Misra, who also noted that a number of channels continue to appear on the online video-sharing platform under other names.  

 

She stated that anyone disseminating propaganda or false information on social media is being monitored.

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When asked if 33-year-old Jyoti Malhotra had previously visited Pakistan, Misra responded that anyone with a valid passport and visa may travel there without restriction.  "But some pattern emerges later," she continued, alluding to the YouTuber's pending charges of spying for Pakistan.