How Jyoti Malhotra was caught and links with Odisha's Priyanka Senapati established - Everything explained

In a case that has sent shockwaves across India, the arrest of Haryana-based travel vlogger Jyoti Malhotra on charges of espionage for Pakistan has unveiled a complex web of deceit involving digital platforms, international travel, and unsuspecting associations.

The investigation has further led to scrutiny of Odisha-based YouTuber Priyanka Senapati, highlighting the far-reaching implications of modern espionage tactics and the misuse of social media by foreign intelligence operatives.

The Arrest of Jyoti Malhotra: A Digital Persona Unmasked

Jyoti Malhotra, popularly known by her online alias ‘Travel with Jo,’ had built a reputable following across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat by documenting her travels.

On May 16, 2025, Malhotra was arrested by the Haryana Police in Hisar under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act for allegedly leaking sensitive information to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Investigations revealed that Malhotra had been communicating with Pakistani intelligence handlers through encrypted messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat.

She reportedly saved these contacts under aliases such as ‘Jatt Randhawa’ and ‘Shakir’ to avoid detection. Authorities also confirmed that Malhotra had been groomed online by ISI operatives, with whom she developed romantic and financial relationships, receiving gifts, foreign travel, and monetary incentives for her cooperation.

Significantly, Malhotra was found to have visited several strategic and sensitive locations in India, including military installations and border areas like Pangong Lake, Leh, and Pahalgam. 

She created vlogs from these sites, often accompanied by footage and commentary that, investigators now suspect, could be used to assess defence movements and infrastructure. The YouTube channel she operated is now under forensic examination.

Sources in the Indian defence establishment have confirmed that Malhotra remained in contact with her Pakistani handlers even during sensitive military exercises.

ALSO READ: YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra was in direct touch with Pakistan on day of Pahalgam terror attack

The Odisha Link: Spotlight on Priyanka Senapati

As investigators combed through Malhotra’s digital records, they stumbled upon her September 2024 visit to Odisha.

During that visit, Malhotra was frequently accompanied by Priyanka Senapati, a Puri-based YouTuber known for her religious and travel content. Senapati has over 14,600 subscribers on YouTube and has featured Malhotra in at least two videos documenting visits to the Jagannath Temple and Konark Sun Temple.

Authorities noted Senapati's active role in arranging travel, accommodations, and temple access for Malhotra during the Puri visit.

Though such collaboration is common among content creators, the Intelligence Bureau flagged this association for two reasons: Malhotra's proximity to strategic temple surveillance infrastructure and Senapati's prior visit to Pakistan in early 2023 via the Kartarpur Corridor.

Senapati’s vlog about the Kartarpur visit was uploaded to her YouTube channel in February 2023 and has garnered over 150,000 views. Investigators are now examining whether the visit was a genuine pilgrimage or part of a broader influence network aiming to create public legitimacy for operatives like Malhotra.

ALSO READ: Probe intensifies into Odisha-based vlogger Priyanka’s suspected ‘Pakistan links’

Cooperation and Denials

In the aftermath of Malhotra’s arrest, Priyanka Senapati issued a public statement expressing shock and dismay.

She asserted that her relationship with Malhotra was purely professional and spiritual in nature, and that she had no knowledge of any illegal activity. Additionally, her family has offered full cooperation with the investigation and opened their digital devices and financial records to central agencies.

Senapati is not currently under arrest but remains under surveillance. Investigators are analysing her messaging history, especially encrypted and disappearing messages on Instagram and WhatsApp.

Sources say that while no direct evidence implicates her yet, she could become a person of interest if her travel records or communications suggest deeper involvement.

What Happens Next?

As of May 20, Jyoti Malhotra is in custody and facing charges that could lead to life imprisonment. Her devices are being analysed for geolocation data, encrypted chats, and financial transfers. The YouTube platform, along with Meta and Google, is cooperating with Indian authorities to provide backend data and activity logs.

Meanwhile, Priyanka Senapati’s digital presence has significantly diminished. She has disabled comments on her videos and deleted several posts from Instagram and Facebook. Whether she was an unwitting associate or part of a wider network remains to be seen.