Puri: The Intelligence Bureau (IB) reportedly questioned a YouTuber based in Odisha’s Puri over her alleged friendship with Jyoti Malhotra, who was arrested on Saturday for allegedly sharing sensitive information and being in continuous contact with a Pakistani citizen.
A video of Jyoti’s visit to Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, posted on her Instagram, went viral after her arrest. She had also shared pictures from the sea beach here.
Meanwhile, the Puri-based Youtuber & vlogger, Priyanka Senapati, posted a clarification on her relationship with Jyoti on her Instagram account.
She had accompanied her to Kerala and also visited Pakistan. “She shared a professional relationship with Jyoti. Priyanka had accompanied her during her visit to Puri in September 2024, but she did not visit our home. My daughter had visited Kartarpur Corridor to make some videos about 3 to 4 months back,” her father Rajkishore told reporters.
He further asserted that Priyanka, a student, was not aware that Jyoti was spying for Pakistan. “We are cooperating with investigating agencies in all aspects. My daughter is also cooperating with the agencies,” he added.
Earlier, Puri police initiated an inquiry on learning that Jyoti might have had a friend here. “We obtained videos Malhotra reportedly recorded during her Puri visit last year and shared on social media. A thorough investigation is underway to determine if she has any contacts in Puri, received assistance during her visit, and the locations she visited,” Puri SP Vinit Agrawal told the media.
Malhotra, with a large YouTube and Instagram following, had also posted several videos of her earlier trip to Pakistan this year. She allegedly met a Pakistani officer, Ahsan-ur-Rahim, in Delhi, and travelled to Pakistan twice. She is accused of sharing sensitive information regarding Indian locations.
Notably, the Jagannath Temple in Puri was identified as a potential target during the India-Pakistan tensions. A special vehicle equipped with trained commandos was deployed around the 12th-century shrine on Monday to respond swiftly to any contingencies arising from potential sabotage threats ahead of the annual Rath Yatra, scheduled for June 27.
