Were YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, Other Arrested 'Spies' Linked to Pakistani ISI Handlers?
K N Mishra
22/May/2025

What's covered under the Article:
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Details on arrests of Pakistani spies Ansarul Miya Ansari and Akhlaq Azam linked to ISI intelligence collection in India.
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Clarification on current lack of evidence linking YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra and Pakistani High Commission employee Danish to espionage activities.
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Overview of the Intelligence Bureau and Delhi Police Special Cell investigations and the chargesheet filed in May 2025.
In recent developments concerning espionage activities in India, questions have surfaced about the possible connections between YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, other arrested individuals, and handlers from Pakistan's intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). This scrutiny follows the arrests of several persons suspected of spying, including two key figures: Ansarul Miya Ansari and Akhlaq Azam.
Arrests and Investigation Background
The Indian Intelligence Bureau (IB) received credible inputs indicating that the ISI planned to send an operative into Delhi via Nepal to gather sensitive information about the Indian Armed Forces. Acting on these inputs, Ansarul Miya Ansari, who had entered Delhi from Nepal, was placed under surveillance and arrested on February 15, 2025.
Ansari is originally from Nepal and had spent time working as a taxi driver in Qatar, where he allegedly established contact with ISI operatives. His specific task was to collect military intelligence within India.
Supporting Ansari's activities was Akhlaq Azam, a Ranchi resident from Jharkhand, who assisted in the espionage operations. Both suspects were arrested by the Delhi Police's Special Cell following their interrogations by the IB.
Chargesheet and Evidence
In May 2025, the Special Cell officially filed a chargesheet against Ansari and Akhlaq Azam, citing evidence gathered during investigation and interrogation. The suspects reportedly confessed to transmitting sensitive military information to Pakistan. Mobile phones and electronic devices seized during the probe contained incriminating evidence pointing to their espionage roles.
Both individuals have been lodged in the high-risk ward of Tihar Jail since March 2025 under round-the-clock surveillance. Importantly, investigations so far have not revealed any links to planned terrorist activities within Delhi, focusing solely on intelligence gathering.
Jyoti Malhotra and Danish: Current Status of Investigations
Amid these developments, the arrest of Jyoti Malhotra, a known YouTuber and travel vlogger, and Danish, an employee at the Pakistani High Commission, raised suspicions about their possible involvement in the espionage network.
However, as of now, no concrete evidence or contacts have been established linking Jyoti Malhotra or Danish to Ansarul Miya Ansari or Akhlaq Azam. Both remain in custody at Tihar Jail, but ongoing investigations have not connected them directly with the ISI handlers or the arrested spies.
Wider Context and Security Implications
This case sheds light on the continuing threat posed by foreign intelligence agencies, particularly the ISI, in attempting to infiltrate India’s sensitive military and strategic infrastructure. The use of operatives with varied backgrounds, including individuals with ties abroad such as Ansari’s time in Qatar, underlines the complexity of counter-intelligence efforts.
The Intelligence Bureau’s timely surveillance and coordinated action with the Delhi Police Special Cell helped thwart an active espionage network. The arrests and chargesheet mark significant progress in securing national interests against covert operations.
What Next?
The chargesheet filed in May is expected to bring forth more revelations as the case progresses through the judicial process. Investigators continue to probe deeper into the espionage ring, attempting to uncover any further links or handlers connected to the suspects.
Meanwhile, the status of Jyoti Malhotra and Danish remains uncertain, with no confirmed connections established yet. Authorities are expected to clarify their roles as investigations unfold, and any new findings will likely be closely monitored by security agencies.
Conclusion
While the arrests of Ansarul Miya Ansari and Akhlaq Azam affirm the presence of ISI-backed espionage attempts in India, the involvement of YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra and Pakistani High Commission employee Danish remains unclear. The Intelligence Bureau and Delhi Police continue their probe, balancing national security with due legal process as the case develops further.
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