Puri: Odisha YouTuber and travel vlogger under scanner for her alleged links with Jyoti Malhotra, arrested on the charge of passing on sensitive information to Pakistani intelligence operatives, has now made her Instagram handle private.
This came even as the family of the 21-year-old content creator asserted that ‘Nation comes first’, and supported strict action against her, if found guilty of any wrongdoing. “We are sure that our daughter is not involved in anti-national activities. For us India comes first, and daughter second. If investigating agencies find any evidence against her, they are most welcome to take the most stringent action,” her grandfather told TOI.
Under scrutiny for her links with Jyoti and her travel to the Kartarpur corridor, the Puri girl had earlier posted a clarification on her insta story, stating that they befriend on YouTube. “….I was unaware of anything which she is accused of. I would not have been in touch with her if I knew she was spying for enemy Pakistan. If any investigative agency wishes to cross-question, I would provide full cooperation. Nation is above all. Jai Hind.”
Speaking to the media on Monday, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said that none involved in activity which hampers the interests of India will be spared. “If somebody is spying for another country, or if anyone is supporting or helping them, they will also be taken to task. The investigation and prosecution process will be taken up properly… If any link is established, the matter will be taken very seriously and the situation will be handled accordingly…,” he told ANI.
On Sunday, a police team searched her residence in the pilgrim town and questioned her and her family members. “After the verification is complete, we will put forward all the facts. Along with this, we are in touch with different agencies of different States, Central agency, Haryana Police and we will provide whatever information they need from us,” Puri SP Vinit Agrawal told reporters.
When asked about the alleged link between the two YouTubers, he added: “We will verify everything and will come to you.”
Police have seized her phone and laptop for verification.
The Puri-based content creator, who has 14,600 subscribers on YouTube and 20,000 followers on her Instagram, had travelled with Jyoti to various places in the country, including Pahalgam. Jyoti had also visited Puri in September 2024.
