The Supreme Court dismissed the bail plea of Haryana-based travel blogger Jyoti Malhotra, observing that allegations of sharing sensitive information with Pakistani intelligence operatives were “very serious.” The Court held that national security considerations must prevail while examining bail requests in such cases.
The Supreme Court dismissed the bail plea of Haryana-based travel blogger Jyoti Malhotra, who is accused of sharing sensitive information with Pakistani intelligence operatives. The Court observed that the allegations against her were “very serious” and held that considerations of national security could not be ignored while deciding her request for bail.
A Bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and S.C. Sharma rejected Malhotra’s challenge to the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s March 7 order, which had denied her regular bail. The top court noted that the accusations levelled against the accused involved issues affecting national security and, therefore, did not warrant interference at this stage.
Background of the Case
Jyoti Malhotra, a resident of Hisar in Haryana, is known for operating a travel-based YouTube channel titled “Travel-with-Jo,” through which she regularly posted videos documenting her travels across different countries. The case against her emerged following an investigation by the Haryana Police into alleged espionage-related activities and suspected links with Pakistani intelligence operatives.
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According to the prosecution, Malhotra was arrested on May 16, 2025, after authorities allegedly uncovered material indicating her involvement in sharing sensitive information with individuals linked to Pakistan. The police registered a case under the Official Secrets Act and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which criminalises acts that threaten the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.
Investigators alleged that Pakistani intelligence agencies had been attempting to recruit Malhotra as an intelligence asset and that she had maintained regular contact with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish, who was posted at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi. According to the police, the communication between the two began in November 2023 and continued over an extended period.
The case gained further significance after Danish was declared persona non grata by the Ministry of External Affairs and expelled from India on May 14, 2025. Authorities alleged that Malhotra remained in contact with him and other individuals based in Pakistan through various social media platforms.
Allegations of Police
The Haryana Police claimed that Malhotra had travelled to Pakistan and allegedly met certain government officials during her visits. Investigators further alleged that she communicated with Pakistani operatives through multiple digital platforms and routinely deleted those conversations to conceal evidence.
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The prosecution also alleged that she shared video footage and other material relating to strategic locations and security establishments with persons connected to Pakistani intelligence agencies. According to the investigating agency, these activities raised serious concerns regarding national security and warranted continued custody.
The police have maintained that the evidence collected during the investigation indicates deliberate and sustained communication with foreign operatives, thereby justifying the charges invoked against her.
Proceedings Before the Supreme Court
During the hearing before the Supreme Court, counsel appearing for Malhotra argued that she had been in custody since her arrest and had no prior criminal record. The defence contended that prolonged incarceration and the absence of criminal antecedents should weigh in favour of granting bail.
The Bench, however, was not persuaded by these submissions. The Court observed that such arguments constituted part of the accused’s defence and would be examined during the course of trial. It further noted that the allegations involved travel to Pakistan and meetings with individuals linked to the Pakistani establishment, making the matter significantly serious.
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Taking into account the nature of the accusations and the material placed before it, the Court concluded that no case for grant of bail had been made out and dismissed the petition.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court had earlier refused to grant bail to Malhotra after examining the material produced by the prosecution. The High Court had observed that the record disclosed a prima facie case against the accused and that the allegations related to activities having potential implications for national security.
The High Court had further held that the seriousness of the allegations, coupled with the nature of the evidence collected during the investigation, did not justify release on bail at that stage.
With the Supreme Court now affirming the denial of bail, Malhotra will remain in custody while the criminal proceedings against her continue. The trial court will examine the evidence and determine the veracity of the allegations during the course of the trial.
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