Haryana-based vlogger Jyoti Malhotra, now under arrest for espionage, had once been a state-sponsored guest to promote Kerala tourism.
News Desk: In a startling revelation, an RTI response has confirmed that Jyoti Malhotra, the 33-year-old travel vlogger from Haryana arrested recently for allegedly spying for Pakistan, was previously hosted by the Kerala Tourism Department as part of its official influencer outreach campaign.
Malhotra, who runs the YouTube channel Travel with Jo, was among several digital content creators invited between 2024 and 2025 to showcase Kerala’s scenic and cultural richness to a global audience. Her travel, accommodation, and itinerary were fully sponsored by the state government under a digital media partnership initiative aimed at bolstering Kerala’s image as a top international tourist destination.
According to the RTI reply, Malhotra toured prominent destinations including Kannur, Kozhikode, Kochi, Alappuzha, and Munnar, producing vlogs and social media content to highlight her experiences. One of her videos — in which she dons a traditional Kerala sari while attending a Theyyam performance in Kannur — went viral, garnering significant online traction.
However, what was once seen as a success story in influencer-driven tourism promotion has now become a matter of deep concern. Malhotra’s arrest by Indian intelligence agencies has exposed alleged links to Pakistani intelligence operatives, including interactions with officials at the Pakistan High Commission in India. One such diplomat has since been expelled from the country following the espionage revelations.
Authorities claim that Malhotra travelled to Pakistan multiple times and maintained covert communications with handlers across the border. Her arrest is part of a sweeping multi-state crackdown on an alleged spy network operated through social media platforms. So far, 12 individuals have been arrested from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, all suspected to be part of a broader foreign intelligence operation that exploited influencer networks for sensitive information gathering.
The incident has cast a long shadow over Kerala’s tourism promotion strategy, raising questions about vetting procedures and the security risks of government collaborations with digital influencers.
