Secrets in the shadows: Haryana YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra deletes operation Sindoor chat, faces forensic probe

Haryana:  YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra from Haryana is suspected of having ties with Pakistan's intelligence agencies and being involved in the activities related to Operation Sindoor. They deleted digital evidence intentionally and disclosed sensitive security information. Forensic analysis and examination of international trips have produced quite a few significant clues. He is suspected of gaining entry into the espionage network via social media. A combined team of NIA, IB and Haryana Police is questioning him.

Association with retired Pakistan High Commission official

As per trusted sources, Jyoti has connections with Danish, a one-time official based in the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, who was kicked out by India on May 13 after he declared him a persona non grata. It is being narrated that Danish had hosted Malhotra to many officers of Pakistan's intelligence agency. Not just this, Danish had also invited Jyoti and his wife to host Pakistan's National Day.

Deleted information pertaining to Operation Sindoor

Sources claim that Jyoti intentionally deleted chat history and other digital information pertaining to a dubious activity known as "Operation Sindoor" from her mobile. Specifically, the conversations during the Hisar blackout were erased, including details regarding administrative activities, sirens and government directives. The effort to hide these activities is being viewed as an attempt to tamper with digital evidence.

Agencies undertook forensic probe

Since the fear that evidence would be destroyed, Jyoti's two phones and laptop have been sent for forensic analysis to retrieve the information that was deleted. Officials think that it was a calculated move to mislead the investigation.

Suspected to be part of larger espionage conspiracy

As the probe continues, Malhotra's involvement is traced to a wider ISI network which has been conducting espionage and propaganda in India on social media. It was said to involve social media influencers, freelance journalists and human rights activists, whose objective was to circulate false reports and obtain intelligence on India. 

Most information uncovered in the interrogation

A combined interrogation by NIA, IB and Haryana Police has been conducted on Jyoti for multiple rounds. She attempted to conceal her relationship with Danish, a former official of the Pakistan High Commission, during this period. It was also discovered that she was using apps that delete messages after 24 hours. He has shared most of the pictures and data from such apps.

Emphasis on security infrastructure in video

A scrutiny of his travel vlogs showed that the vlogs and blogs done in the guise of traveling to religious sites reflected more on the border regions and the security measures present in those areas than on religious themes. Detailed focus was given to the borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan.

International travel is being scrutinized

Investigating authorities are now closely examining his foreign travels. These include visits to Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Indonesia and Dubai. His visits to Bangladesh and China are being viewed particularly in the wake of the Pakistan visit.

Long stay in Pakistan

Jyoti had travelled to Pakistan in April 2014 on the pretext of Baisakhi festival, but after the festival got over, she remained there for over 20 days and then proceeded to China. The agencies are making efforts to ascertain who all the individuals she had met during this time in Pakistan and if the trip to China was planned beforehand.