In a significant development, the Punjab Police have uncovered a terror-backed espionage network with deep digital footprints, implicating yet another Indian YouTuber with massive online influence. Jasbir Singh, the creator of the YouTube channel Jaan Mahal, boasting over a million subscribers, was arrested in Rupnagar by the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) of the Punjab Police for allegedly spying for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
This arrest follows closely on the heels of a similar case involving Haryana-based travel vlogger Jyoti Malhotra and signals an intensified crackdown on espionage networks exploiting social media influencers as operatives.
Who is Jasbir Singh?
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Name: Jasbir Singh
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Origin: Village Mahlan, Rupnagar district, Punjab
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YouTube Channel: Jaan Mahal
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Subscribers: Over 1 million
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Arrested By: Punjab Police’s State Special Operations Cell (SSOC)
Jasbir Singh came under the police radar for his alleged connections with Pakistani intelligence operatives and his frequent travels to Pakistan. He is now at the center of a growing investigation into how YouTubers and digital influencers are being used as tools for cross-border intelligence gathering.
Connection to Pakistan’s Espionage Network
According to Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, Jasbir Singh maintained close communication with Shakir alias Jutt Randhawa, an operative of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Shakir is believed to be part of a larger terror-backed espionage network functioning to gather intelligence from India.
Other Key Associations:
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Jyoti Malhotra: A Haryana-based YouTuber arrested on May 15, also allegedly part of the same network.
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Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish: A Pakistani national and official of the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, expelled from India for espionage activities.
Singh's devices have reportedly yielded multiple Pakistan-based phone numbers, which are currently under forensic investigation.
Suspicious Travels and Event Participation
Key Timeline:
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Pakistan Visits: 2020, 2021, and 2024
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Event Attended: Pakistan National Day celebration at the Pakistani Embassy in New Delhi (2024)
At Danish’s invitation, Jasbir attended the Pakistan National Day event in Delhi, where he allegedly interacted with Pakistani vloggers and military officials. The pattern of his visits and interactions has raised serious concerns regarding the true intent of his associations.
Attempt to Cover Up Espionage Activities
Following the arrest of Jyoti Malhotra, Jasbir Singh attempted to erase all digital communication and metadata linking him to Pakistani intelligence operatives.
Cover-up Efforts:
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Deleted chats and communication logs
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Tried to remove records of foreign interactions from his digital devices
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Scrubbed sensitive metadata linked to Pakistani contacts
Despite these efforts, the Punjab Police managed to retrieve key forensic evidence, forming the basis for the FIR registered at the SSOC in Mohali.
Jyoti Malhotra: The Link in the Spy Network
Profile:
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Name: Jyoti Malhotra
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Age: 33
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Origin: Hisar, Haryana
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YouTube Channel: Travel with JO
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Status: Arrested for espionage on May 15, 2025
Malhotra reportedly visited Pakistan three times, during which she developed connections with at least four Pakistani intelligence operatives. According to police sources, WhatsApp conversations retrieved from her phone suggest she even requested her ISI handler to arrange her marriage in Pakistan—a move seen as a strategy to facilitate long-term residence and access.
Legal Action:
She has been booked under:
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Official Secrets Act
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Sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita for actions endangering India’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity
Rising Pattern of Espionage Linked to Social Media Influencers
The arrests of Singh and Malhotra are part of a broader intelligence operation to root out espionage activities, especially in the wake of recent hostilities.
National Context:
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Pahalgam Terror Attack: A deadly incident in April that claimed 26 lives and triggered a four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan.
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Enhanced Surveillance: Indian agencies have since intensified tracking and monitoring of digital communications and foreign connections.
Other Arrests in Connection with Espionage
The crackdown has not been limited to digital influencers. Several others across India have been arrested for espionage or related activities:
1. Gagandeep Singh
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Origin: Tarn Taran, Punjab
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Charge: Sharing sensitive information on army movements during Operation Sindoor
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Modus Operandi: Received payments from foreign handlers
2. Davendra Singh Dhillon
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Age: 25
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Affiliation: Student, Khalsa College, Patiala
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Arrested In: Haryana
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Evidence: Shared images of the Patiala military cantonment; Pakistan ties discovered during interrogation
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Trigger: Posted a photo of a pistol on Facebook
3. Nauman Ilahi
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Age: 24
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Profession: Security Guard
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State: Haryana
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Link: Was in regular contact with an ISI handler
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Financial Trail: Received funds via his brother-in-law's bank account
Investigation Underway: National Security Agencies on Alert
An FIR has been filed against Jasbir Singh at the SSOC, Mohali, and investigations are ongoing to:
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Dismantle the wider espionage-terror network
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Identify and apprehend collaborators in India and abroad
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Uncover the full extent of digital and financial footprints left by the accused
Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav emphasized that this case reflects an emerging pattern where social media influencers are being manipulated into acting as information conduits for hostile foreign intelligence services.
The arrest of Jasbir Singh marks yet another alarming chapter in a series of espionage cases targeting India's internal security via unconventional means—this time through social media platforms like YouTube. With national agencies now zooming in on digital influencers, a larger web of intelligence operations appears to be unraveling.
These revelations underscore the urgent need for cyber vigilance, intelligence cooperation, and digital accountability in an era where social media reach can be weaponized against national interest.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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