Thiruvananthapuram, July 7, 2025 — In a revelation that has sparked major political outrage and raised serious questions on due diligence, a Right to Information (RTI) reply has confirmed that Jyoti Malhotra, the YouTuber recently arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan, was invited by the Kerala government as part of a state-sponsored influencer campaign to promote tourism across the region.

The 33-year-old digital content creator from Haryana, now under custody for her alleged espionage activities, participated in the Kerala Tourism Department’s influencer outreach initiative, which aimed to boost the state's global visibility through social media marketing.

All Expenses Paid by the Government

According to the RTI response, Malhotra’s entire visit was funded by the state, including her travel, lodging, and curated itinerary. She was part of a handpicked group of digital creators invited under a promotional campaign that ran between January 2024 and May 2025.

During this time, Malhotra visited key tourist hubs in Kerala including Kannur, Kozhikode, Kochi, Alappuzha, and Munnar. She also uploaded several videos to her YouTube channel, “Travel with Jo”, portraying Kerala's cultural and natural heritage in a favourable light.

Minister's Clarification Amid Political Firestorm

The disclosure triggered immediate backlash from opposition parties, including the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Both questioned the state’s vetting procedures, asking why no background checks were done on influencers brought in for the high-visibility campaign.

In response, Kerala Tourism Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas defended the move, stating:

“She was part of a broad influencer initiative. Everything was conducted transparently and with the best intentions. No government can foresee such developments. This is not espionage facilitation but part of a larger tourism vision.”

Riyas, who is the son-in-law of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, emphasized that systemic safeguards exist, and this incident should not be politicized without understanding procedural norms.

BJP and Congress Demand Accountability

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla launched a scathing attack on the Left Front-led Kerala government, saying:

“RTI reveals Pakistani spy Jyoti Malhotra was invited as a state guest. Bharat Mata is blocked, but Pak spies are given red carpet treatment by the Left? The Tourism Minister should be sacked and investigated.”

Congress leaders also joined the chorus of criticism, asserting that security clearances must become mandatory for public campaigns that include guests with foreign travel history or international affiliations.

Espionage Investigation Unfolds

Jyoti Malhotra’s arrest came as part of a larger crackdown on a suspected spy network active in northern Indian states. Her arrest was based on charges of exchanging sensitive information, allegedly while maintaining continuous contact with Pakistani intelligence handlers and even personnel from the Pakistan High Commission.

Reports suggest that Malhotra had frequently traveled to Pakistan, where she allegedly established links with espionage agents and shared location-based intelligence.

According to intelligence sources, she is one of 12 individuals arrested across Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, under suspicion of being part of a coordinated social media-targeted espionage ring.

Digital Trail and Kerala Connection

Malhotra’s YouTube channel, “Travel with Jo,” boasts 487 videos, many filmed in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, and India. Her Kerala travel content gained attention, especially a viral video of her donning a Kerala sari and attending a Theyyam performance in Kannur. This video was reportedly one of the flagship outputs of the state’s influencer campaign.

The state’s association with her now forms a critical point of contention, with political parties questioning why no red flags were raised during the screening process. Some officials argue that Malhotra's online profile presented her as a harmless lifestyle influencer, making it difficult to detect any hidden agenda.

Implications for Government Collaborations

The controversy throws a spotlight on the need for stronger background verification of influencers involved in government collaborations, especially in sensitive or publicly funded projects.

With social media creators gaining increased access to public events, state-backed travel programs, and high-security locations, many security experts now warn that influencer campaigns may need additional regulatory scrutiny.

Tourism Promotion vs. National Security

While the Kerala government maintains that the intent behind the influencer campaign was genuine, critics argue that national security must not be compromised in pursuit of tourism and promotional goals.

The situation also raises ethical concerns about the growing trend of influencer marketing in governance, which, while modern and effective, may expose loopholes if not managed with caution and due process.

Conclusion: Red Flags Missed or Ignored?

Jyoti Malhotra’s alleged role as a Pakistani spy, juxtaposed with her state-sponsored influencer trip to Kerala, has now evolved into a full-blown political and administrative controversy.

The case underscores the urgency of integrating intelligence vetting into seemingly non-critical government outreach programs. It also raises questions about institutional blind spots in a world where influencers carry both influence and risk.

The political fallout may continue to grow as more details emerge and the Centre is likely to face pressure to standardize influencer-related clearances across ministries and states.

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