Haryana-Originated Spy Network Expands to Odisha; Puri YouTuber Questioned by IB

Hisar/Puri (The Uttam Hindu): The scope of investigation in the case of famous YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who was arrested from Hisar in Haryana on charges of spying for Pakistan, is continuously increasing. Now the Odisha connection has also come to light in this case, after which a joint team of Central Intelligence Agency Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Puri Police is interrogating another YouTuber Priyanka Senapati in Puri.

Jyoti Malhotra, known for her vlogs and social media content, is accused of passing on sensitive information related to the Indian Army and locations of strategic importance to Pakistan-based operatives. Based on months of surveillance and concrete evidence, Jyoti has been arrested along with six other accused. Security agencies believe that the arrest points to the unearthing of a large cyber-espionage network in which confidential information was being leaked from within the country using social media and digital influencers.

According to sources, Jyoti Malhotra visited Puri in Odisha in September 2024. During this time she made photographs and videos of the Jagannath temple and the government premises around it. Security agencies suspect that sensitive information related to these places was passed on to their masters in Pakistan through digital platforms. Investigative agencies also suspect that Jyoti Malhotra was in contact with Priyanka Senapati or met him during this Puri visit.

After the suspicious relationship between Jyoti Malhotra and Puri's content creator Priyanka Senapati came to light, the IB has started investigating the case along with Puri police. In this connection, Puri's YouTuber Priyanka Senapati is being questioned intensively.

After coming under the scanner, Puri's YouTuber Priyanka Senapati has clarified her position by coming live on social media. She said that Jyoti Malhotra was just a YouTube friend of hers and she was completely unaware of any wrongdoing or espionage related work of hers. Priyanka said that if she had known that Jyoti was spying for the enemy country, she would never have kept any contact with her. She also said that she knew Jyoti only through professional content and is personally shocked by this news. Priyanka has assured full cooperation to the investigating agencies.

After Jyoti's arrest and interrogation of Priyanka, intelligence agencies have increased surveillance in Puri, Bhubaneswar and other major tourist destinations where foreign nationals or people with suspicious activities easily roam around. Especially content creators who shoot in public places using drones, DSLRs and professional cameras are being monitored. The entire matter is being investigated seriously so that the roots of this espionage network can be reached.