YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra’s custody extended amid probe

A local court in Hisar on Monday extended the judicial custody of YouTuber and travel blogger Jyoti Malhotra by 14 days, as investigations continue into her alleged espionage links with Pakistan. The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for June 23.

Malhotra, 33, a resident of Hisar, was initially arrested on May 16 for allegedly transmitting sensitive information to Pakistani intelligence operatives. She was produced in court the following day and remanded to five days in police custody. After her initial remand ended, she was sent to an additional four-day police remand, followed by 14-day judicial custody on May 26.

During Monday’s proceedings, Jyoti appeared virtually from jail. Her counsel, advocate Kumar Mukesh, stated that the defence would soon file a petition seeking regular bail.

According to prison authorities, Jyoti has been spending most of her time in the jail library, reading books.

Meanwhile, Hisar police spokesperson Vikas Kumar revealed that a forensic analysis of the digital devices recovered from Malhotra—three mobile phones and a laptop—has unearthed approximately 12 terabytes of data. The report allegedly confirms direct communication with four individuals believed to be associated with Pakistan's intelligence network, along with suspected financial transactions and details of special privileges she reportedly received during her travel to Pakistan.

Malhotra has been booked under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, as well as Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The investigation is ongoing, with authorities continuing to examine the digital evidence for further leads.