Latest news with #KeralaTourismDepartment
India Gazette
07-07-2025
- India Gazette
Pak spy accused vlogger Jyoti Malhotra visited Kerala on govt invitation, reveals RTI
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], July 7 (ANI): Jyoti Malhotra, a 33-year-old vlogger from Haryana recently arrested on charges of espionage for Pakistan, had earlier visited Kerala on an official invitation from the state government, said an RTI (Right to Information) reply that has now surfaced. Malhotra was part of a tourism promotion campaign organised by the Kerala Tourism Department, which funded a group of social media influencers to enhance the state's digital visibility as a travel destination. The RTI response confirms that Malhotra's travel, stay, and itinerary expenses were fully covered by the department during her visit. As per official records, Jyoti Malhotra toured Kannur, Kozhikode, Kochi, Alappuzha, and Munnar between 2024 and 2025 under the government's influencer collaboration initiative. Her participation was listed alongside several other digital creators active between January 2024 and May 2025. Investigations have since revealed that Malhotra had travelled to Pakistan multiple times and had established contacts with officials from Pakistani intelligence agencies, including personnel from the Pakistan High Commission. One such official was later expelled by India after their association came to light. Malhotra is one of 12 individuals arrested across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh as part of a coordinated crackdown on a suspected spy ring that allegedly targeted Indian social media influencers to gather intelligence. Her YouTube channel, 'Travel with Jo', hosts 487 videos, many of which are from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Thailand. Notably, one of her earlier viral videos featured her wearing a Kerala sari and attending a Theyyam performance in Kannur. (ANI)
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First Post
07-07-2025
- First Post
Jyoti Malhotra, accused of spying for Pakistan, toured Kerala on govt invite to boost tourism: RTI
Jyoti Malhotra, a popular 33-year-old travel vlogger from Haryana, who was recently arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan, was previously involved in a Kerala government tourism campaign, an RTI reply has revealed. read more Jyoti Malhotra, a 33-year-old travel vlogger from Haryana who was recently arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan, had previously worked with the Kerala Tourism Department as part of an official digital campaign, a newly released RTI response has revealed. Malhotra, who runs the YouTube channel Travel with Jo, was among several social media influencers invited by Kerala between 2024 and 2025 to promote the state as a global tourist destination. Her travel, stay, and itinerary were fully funded by the Kerala government under its influencer partnership programme to boost digital tourism outreach. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The RTI reply shows that Malhotra toured major tourist spots like Kannur, Kozhikode, Kochi, Alappuzha, and Munnar, filming content for her YouTube audience. One of her viral videos showed her wearing a traditional Kerala sari while attending a Theyyam performance in Kannur. However, her arrest has cast a shadow over the initiative. Indian intelligence agencies allege Malhotra travelled to Pakistan several times and established contacts with individuals linked to Pakistani intelligence, including staff at the Pakistan High Commission in India. One such official has been expelled from the country following the revelations. Her arrest is part of a larger crackdown by central agencies on an alleged espionage network spread across several Indian states. So far, 12 people have been arrested from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh in what authorities describe as a covert effort by foreign intelligence to use digital platforms and influencer networks for gathering sensitive information. Malhotra's case has sparked serious concerns about security checks and vetting procedures for people involved in government-backed campaigns. Her YouTube channel, featuring 487 videos from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, and various Indian states, is now under investigation for possible intelligence links disguised as travel content.
Hans India
07-07-2025
- Hans India
Kerala Government Funded Travel Blogger Now Accused Of Pakistan Espionage, RTI Documents Reveal
A travel blogger currently detained on espionage charges had her Kerala tourism trip entirely sponsored by the state government, according to official documents obtained through Right to Information requests. Jyoti Malhotra, who operated the YouTube channel 'Travel with JO', received complete financial support from Kerala's tourism department for her visit as part of an official influencer outreach program. The RTI disclosure reveals that Malhotra's accommodation, transportation, and complete itinerary costs were covered by Kerala Tourism Department funding. Her participation was part of a structured digital marketing initiative designed to enhance Kerala's online presence as a premier travel destination through social media collaboration. The 33-year-old content creator from Hisar, Haryana, was among several social media influencers recruited by the tourism department between January 2024 and May 2025. During her state-sponsored visit, she traveled to multiple prominent tourist locations including Kannur, Kozhikode, Kochi, Alappuzha, and Munnar, creating promotional content for these destinations. One of her most popular videos from the Kerala trip featured her wearing traditional Kerala attire while attending a Theyyam cultural performance in Kannur. The video gained significant traction on social media platforms, fulfilling the tourism department's objective of showcasing Kerala's cultural heritage to broader audiences. However, Malhotra's travel history has become a central focus of ongoing investigations after her arrest on May 16 from New Aggarsain Extension area. She faces charges under the Official Secrets Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for allegedly maintaining contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives. Investigators discovered that Malhotra had established communication with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish, a Pakistan High Commission staff member, beginning in November 2023. Danish was subsequently expelled from India on May 13 for suspected espionage activities, just days before Malhotra's arrest. Police sources indicate that Pakistani intelligence agencies were actively attempting to recruit Malhotra as an intelligence asset. Her extensive travel history, including multiple visits to Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Thailand, has provided investigators with crucial evidence about her international connections and activities. Despite the serious charges, Hisar Police have not uncovered evidence suggesting Malhotra had access to sensitive defense or military information. However, law enforcement maintains that she knowingly engaged with individuals connected to Pakistani intelligence services. Malhotra's YouTube channel, featuring over 480 videos from various countries, documented her extensive international travel experiences. This digital footprint has become valuable evidence in understanding her movements and potential intelligence gathering activities. The case represents part of a broader investigation into a suspected espionage network targeting Indian content creators and social media influencers. Authorities have arrested 12 individuals across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh in connection with this coordinated intelligence operation. A Hisar court extended Malhotra's judicial custody on June 23 for an additional two weeks, with the next hearing scheduled for July 7. Her initial bail application was rejected by judicial magistrate Sunil Kumar on June 12, prompting her legal team to prepare an appeal to the district sessions court. Her lawyer, Kumar Mukesh, described the custody extensions as routine procedure until regular bail can be secured. Malhotra has remained in judicial custody since May 26, with successive extensions on June 9 and June 23. The revelation that a suspected foreign agent received government funding for promotional activities raises questions about vetting procedures for influencer partnerships. The case highlights potential security vulnerabilities in government-sponsored digital marketing initiatives and the need for enhanced background checks on social media collaborators. As investigations continue, the case demonstrates the evolving nature of espionage in the digital age, where social media influencers and content creators may become targets for foreign intelligence recruitment. The intersection of travel blogging, government partnerships, and national security concerns reflects contemporary challenges in maintaining information security while promoting tourism through digital channels.
News18
07-07-2025
- News18
Pakistan Spy Jyoti Malhotra Was Hired By Kerala Tourism, Reveals RTI
According to the RTI reply, Malhotra travelled extensively through key tourist circuits, including Kannur, Kozhikode, Kochi, Alappuzha, and Munnar, documenting her experiences. Jyoti Malhotra, a 33-year-old travel vlogger from Haryana who was recently arrested for allegedly spying on behalf of Pakistan, had previously been hired by the Kerala Tourism Department as part of an official digital outreach campaign, a newly surfaced RTI response has confirmed. Malhotra, known for her YouTube channel Travel with Jo, was among a curated list of social media influencers invited by the state between 2024 and 2025 to promote Kerala as a global travel destination. Her travel, accommodation, and itinerary costs were entirely funded by the Kerala government, under its influencer collaboration programme aimed at boosting the state's digital presence in the tourism sector. According to the RTI reply, Malhotra travelled extensively through key tourist circuits, including Kannur, Kozhikode, Kochi, Alappuzha, and Munnar, documenting her experiences for her YouTube audience. One of her videos, which had gone viral, featured her draped in a traditional Kerala sari while attending a Theyyam performance in Kannur. However, her arrest has cast a shadow over the programme, as ongoing investigations by Indian intelligence agencies allege that Malhotra had travelled to Pakistan multiple times, establishing direct contact with officials linked to Pakistani intelligence services, including personnel from the Pakistan High Commission in India. One such official was expelled after the alleged connections came to light. Malhotra's arrest has raised serious concerns about national security loopholes and the vetting process for individuals participating in government-funded campaigns. Her YouTube channel, which hosts 487 videos, includes content from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, and several Indian states—now under scrutiny for potential intelligence links masked as travel content. First Published: July 07, 2025, 10:08 IST
Arab Times
05-07-2025
- Arab Times
British F-35 in Love with 'God's Own Country'
Thiruvananthapuram, India, July 5: A British Royal Navy F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet remains grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, drawing attention not only for its unexpected landing but also for the Kerala Tourism Department's witty social media response. The advanced fighter, valued at over $110 million, made an emergency landing on June 14 after experiencing low fuel levels. Inclement weather prevented it from returning to the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier, stationed approximately 100 nautical miles off the Kerala coast. Shortly after landing, the aircraft reportedly developed a hydraulic failure, rendering it unable to take off. In a tongue-in-cheek social media post on platform X, Kerala Tourism embraced the incident to promote the state's appeal. Sharing a mock 'review' from the jet itself, the department wrote: 'Kerala, the destination you'll never want to leave. Thank you, The Fauxy.' The fictional review added: 'Kerala is such an amazing place, I don't want to leave. Definitely recommend.' Social Media Joins the Fun The post quickly gained traction online, prompting a wave of humorous responses. One user joked, ' Now it refuses to start without coconut oil,' while another quipped, ' Give it parotta and thattukada fried chicken, it will never go back.' Others played along, with comments like ' F-35, how much is a one-way ticket? ' and 'From the Portuguese to now, the legacy continues.' Repair Efforts Underway According to a PTI report on June 27, a team of UK aviation engineers is en route to Kerala with specialized equipment to conduct repairs on the aircraft. A British High Commission spokesperson confirmed that the jet would be moved to a hangar upon the team's arrival to minimize disruptions at the airport. 'The aircraft will resume active service following repairs and safety checks,' the spokesperson said. 'Ground teams continue to work closely with Indian authorities to ensure all safety and security protocols are maintained. We extend our gratitude to Indian officials and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for their ongoing support.' About the F-35B Lightning II The F-35B, known as the 'Lightning' in British service, is a Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant of the fifth-generation stealth fighter. Designed to operate from aircraft carriers and short runways, it is a key component of the UK's maritime and expeditionary air power. As engineers prepare to bring the aircraft back to operational readiness, the incident has unexpectedly offered a PR moment for Kerala — and a reminder that even state-of-the-art machines aren't immune to the charms of 'God's Own Country.'
