The Haryana Court extended the police remand of social media influencer Jyoti Malhotra by four days in an ongoing espionage investigation involving alleged links to a Pakistan-based intelligence network. Malhotra, a 33-year-old YouTuber from Hisar, was arrested last week on suspicion of espionage.
Malhotra was among twelve individuals detained over the past fortnight across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh on charges linked to espionage. Her arrest occurred at New Aggarsain Extension, and she was booked under the Official Secrets Act along with relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The investigation has involved multiple agencies, including the National Investigation Agency, Intelligence Bureau, and military intelligence, who have examined her communications and financial records.
Police authorities stated that while no concrete evidence has surfaced proving Malhotra’s access to classified military or defense-related information, she maintained contact with known Pakistani intelligence operatives. It was disclosed that Malhotra had been communicating since November 2023 with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, alias Danish, a Pakistani High Commission staffer who was expelled from India on May 13 for alleged espionage activities. Furthermore, investigators suspect Malhotra was being groomed as an asset by foreign intelligence agencies, with visits to Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, and other countries scrutinized as part of the inquiry.
The Court, while extending the remand, underscored the necessity of continued investigation given the gravity of the charges and the complex nature of espionage cases involving foreign intelligence networks. It observed that the forensic analysis of Malhotra’s electronic devices and financial transactions was critical to unravel the extent of her involvement. The judiciary recognized the sensitive security implications and the need for a thorough probe before any conclusive judicial determination.
Accordingly, the Court granted a four-day extension of the police remand to enable ongoing investigations and forensic examinations. The remand extension reflects the court’s recognition of the multifaceted and sensitive nature of the allegations pending before it, thereby allowing law enforcement agencies sufficient time to complete their inquiries.
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